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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  tho  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
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Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommag6e 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurAe  et/ou  pelliculie 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 


H/j    Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 


D 


along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 

distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int6rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  film^s. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6X6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  methods  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


Th 
to 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


0 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  pellicul^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxei 
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Includes  supplementary  materii 
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Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


I      I  Pages  damaged/ 

I      I  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

ry\  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

I      I  Pages  detached/ 

I      I  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

|~~~|  Only  edition  available/ 


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Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  trrutB 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'arrata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t^  filmies  A  nouveau  de  fa^on  i 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


H 


12X 


16X 


20X 


26X 


30X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


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Tha  copy  filmad  hara  has  baan  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archival  of  Britiih  Columbia 

Tha  imagas  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
possibia  considaring  tha  condition  and  iagibllity 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  Itaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spaclficatlons. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papar  covars  sra  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  Impras- 
sion,  or  tha  back  cover  whan  appropriate.  All 
othar  original  copias  ara  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impras- 
slon,  and  anding  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illustratad  impression. 


Tha  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaira  fllmA  fut  reproduit  grice  A  la 
gAnArositA  de: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Les  imagas  sulvantas  ont  At4  reproduites  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nattet*  de  I'exempleire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  origlnaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimie  sont  film*s  en  commen^ant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  un  terminant  solt  par  la 
darniire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  les  autras  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmAs  en  commen^ant  par  la 
pramiire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impression  ou  d'iilustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaltra  sur  la 
darniAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  seion  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN", 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fiimAs  d  des  taux  de  reduction  difftrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  film«  A  partir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
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Ferdinand  De  Soto, 


TMK 


DISCOVERER  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI 


BY 


JOHN   S.  C.  ABBOTT. 


^^ 


NEW  YORK: 
DODD  &  MEAD,  No.  762   BROADWAY. 


FE 


AMERICAN  PIONEERS  AND  PATRIOTS. 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


THE 


DISCOVERER  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI. 


By  JOHN  S.  C.  ABBOTT. 


IIi31.XJSTRA.TED. 


NEW  YORK: 
DODD  &  MEAD,  No.  762  BROADWAY. 

1873- 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1873,  by 

DODD  &  MEAD, 
in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  ConRress  at  Waehington. 


Wm.  McCbba.  &  Co.,  StereotyperB, 
Newburgh,  N.  Y, 


LaNQK,  LiTTLB    4    HlLLMAN, 

PBINTIR8, 

108  TO  114  WOOSTKB  Stbkkt,  N.  Y. 


PREFACE. 


Mr.  Theodore  Irving,  in  his  valuable  history  of  the 
"Conquest  of  Florida,  "  speaking  of  the  astonishing 
achievements  of  the  Spanish  Cavaliers,  in  the  dawn  of  the 
sixteenth  century  says : 

"  Of  all  the  enterprises  undertaken  in  this  spirit  of 
daring  adventure,  none  has  surpassed,  for  hardihood  and 
variety  of  incident,  that  of  the  renowned  Hernando  de 
Soto,  and  his  band  of  cavaliers.  It  was  poetry  put  in  ac- 
tion. It  was  the  knight-errantry  of  the  old  world  carried 
into  the  depths  of  the  American  wilderness.  Indeed  the 
personal  adventures,  the  feats  of  individual  prowess,  the 
picturesque  description  of  steel-clad  cavaliers,  with  lance 
and  helm  and  prancing  steed,  glittering  through  the 
wildernesses  of  Florida,  Georgia,  Alabama,  and  the  prairies 
of  the  Far  West,  would  seem  to  us  mere  fictions  of  ro- 
mance, did  they  not  come  to  us  recorded  in  matter"  of  fact 
narratives  of  contemporaries,  and  corroborated  by  minute 
and  daily  memoranda  of  eye-witnesses." 

These  are  the  wild  and  wondrous  adventures  which  I 
wish  here  to  record.  I  have  spared  no  pains  in  obtaining 
the  most  accurate  information  which  the  records  of  those 


IV 


PREFACE. 


clays  have  transmitted  to  us.  It  is  as  wrong  to  traduce 
the  dead  as  the  living.  If  one  should  be  careful  not  to 
write  a  line  which  dying  he  would  wish  to  blot,  he  should 
also  endeavor  to  write  of  the  departed  in  so  candid  and 
paternal  a  spirit,  while  severely  just  to  the  truth  of  history, 
as  to  be  safe  from  reproach.  One  who  is  aiding  to  form 
public  opinion  respecting  another,  who  has  left  the  world, 
should  remember  that  he  may  yet  meet  the  departed  in  the 
spirit  land.  And  he  may  perhaps  be  greeted  with  the 
words,  "  Your  condemnation  was  too  severe.  You  did  not 
make  due  allowance  for  the  t'lnes  in  which  I  lived.  You 
have  held  up  my  name  to  unmerited  reproach." 

Careful  investigation  has  revealed  De  Soto  to  me  as  by 
no  means  so  bad  a  man  as  I  had  supposed  him  to  have 
been.  And  I  think  that  the  candid  reader  will  admit  that 
there  was  much,  in  his  heroic  but  melancholy  career,  which 
calls  for  charitable  construction  and  sympathy. 

The  authorities  upon  which  I  have  mainly  relied  for 
my  statements,  are  given  in  the  body  of  the  work.  There 
is  no  country  on  the  globe,  whose  early  history  is  so  full 
of  interest  and  instruction  as  our  own.  The  writer  feels 
grateful  to  the  press,  in  general,  for  the  kindly  spirit  in 
which  it  has  spoken  of  the  attempt,  in  this  series,  to  inter- 
est the  popular  reader  in  those  remarkable  incidents  which 
have  led  to  the  establishment  of  this  majestic  republic. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 
Childhood  and  Youth. 

Birthplace  of  Ferdinand  De  Soto.— Spanish  Colony  at  Daren.— 

Don  Pedro  de  Avila,  Governor  of  Darien.— Vasco  Nunez.— 

Famine.— Love   in  the  Spanish  Castle.— Character    oi   Isa- 

bella.  —  Embarrassment   of    De  Soto.  —  Isabella's   Parting 

•    Counsel. 


TAOB 


CHAPTER   II. 

The  Spanish  Colony. 

Character  of  De  Soto.— Cruel  Command  of  Don  Pedro.— Inci- 
dent.—The  Duel. —  Uracca.— Consternation  at  Darien. — 
Expedition  Organized.— Uracca's  Reception  of  Espinosa 
and  his  Troops.— The  Spaniards  Retreat.— De  Soto  Indig- 
nant.— Espinosa's  Cruelty,  and  Deposition  from  Command. 

CHAPTER   III. 

Life  at  Darien. 

Reinforcements  from  Spain. — Aid  sent  to  Borrica  — Line  of  De- 
fense Chosen  by  the  Natives. — Religion  of  the  J^uccaneers. — 
The  Battle  and  the  Rout. — Strategy  of  Uracca. — Cruelty  of 
Don  Pedro.— The  Retreat. — Character  of  Uracca.— Embar- 
rassment of  Don  Pedro. — Warning  of  M.  Codro. — Expedi- 
tion of  Pizarro. — Mission  of  M.  Codro. — Letter  of  De  Soto 
to  Isabella.        ..... 


21 


37 


vi 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Demoniac  Reign. 


vkam 


Giles  Gonzales. — Unsuccessful  Contest  of  De  Soto  with  Gon- 
zales.— Bold  Reply  of  De  Soto  to  the  Governor. — Cruelty  of 
Don  Pedro  to  M.  Codro. — Assassination  of  Cordova. — New 
Expedition  of  Discovery,  —  Revenge  upon  Valenzuela,  — 
Reign  of  Don  Pedro  at  Nicaragua. — Unwise  Decision  of  De 
Soto.       .....  .  , 


55 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  Invasion  of  Peru. 

The  Kingdom  of  Peru. — Its  Metropolis. — The  Desperate  Condi- 
tion of  Pizarro. — Arrival  of  De  Soto. — Character  of  the 
Spaniards. — Exploring  Tour  of  De  Soto. — The  Colony  at 
San  Miguel. — The  General  Advance. — Second  Exploration 
of  De  Soto. — Infamous  Conduct  of  the  Pizarros. 


72 


y) 


CHAPTER  VI. 

The  Atrocities  of  Pizarro. 

Fears  of  Pizarro. — Honorable  Conduct  of  the  Inca. — The  March 

♦        to   Caxamarca. — Hospitable   Reception. — Perfidious   Attack 

upon  the   Inca. —  His   Capture   and  Imprisonment, —  The 

Honor  of  De  Soto. — The  Offered  Ransom, — Treachery  and 

Extortion  of  Pizarro,    .  . 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Execution  of  the  Inca,  and  Embarrassments  of 

De  Soto. 


Pledges  of  Pizarro, — His  Perfidy. — False  Mission  of  De  Soto.— - 
Execution  of  the  Inca. — His  Fortitude. — Indignation  of  Dc 
Soto. — Great  Embarrassments. — Extenuating  Consideration*. 
— Arrival  of  Almagro, — March  Towards  the  Capital.  .  ,  107 


CONTENTS. 


VIl 


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55 


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ation 


CHAPTER   VIII, 
De  Soto  Returns  to  Spain. 


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12 


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attack 
-The 
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nts  of 


Dreadful  Fate  of  Chalcukima. — His  Fortitude, — Ijjnominy  of  Pi- 
zarro. — De  Soto's  Advance  upon  Cuzco, — The  I'cruvian  High- 
way.—Battle  in  the  Defile.— De  Soto  take*  the  Responsi- 
bility. — Capture  of  the  Capital  and  its  Confhtgration. — De 
Soto's  Return  to  Spain. — His  Reception  there. — Preparations 
for  the  Conquest  of  Florida.      .  .  ,  .  ,  126 

CHAPTER   IX. 

The  Landing  in  Florida. 

The  Departure  from  Spain. — Arrival  in  Cuba, — fvconora  and  To-        » 
bar. — Isabella  Invested  with  the  Regency, — Sad  Life  of  Isa- 
bella.— Sailing  of  the  Expedition.— The  Landing  at  Tampa 
Bay. — Outrages   of  Narvaez.— Noljle   Spirit  of  Ucita. — Un- 
successful Enterprises. — Disgrace  and  Keturn  of  Porcallo.    .  144 

CHAPTER   X.  ' 

The  March  to  Ochile, 

The  March  Commenced. — The  Swamps  of  Florida, — Passage  of 
the  Morass. — Heroism  of  Silvestre. — Mc»>aj{c  to  Acuera. — 
His  Heroic  Reply. — Fierce  Hostility  of  the  Indians, — Enter  • 
the  Town  of  Ocali. — Strange  Incident, — Death  of  the  Blood- 
hound.— Historical  Discrepancies. — Romantic  Entrance  to 
Ochile.  .  .  .  .  ,  ,  .  .163 

CHAPTER   XI. 

TJie  Conspiracy  and  its  Consequences. 

The  Three  Brother  Chieftains. — Reply  of  Vitachttco  to  his  Bro- 
thers.— Feigned  Friendship  for  the  Spaniard*,— The  Conspir- 
acy.— Its  Consummation  and  Results,— ^Jlemcncy  of  De  Soto. 
—  The  Second  Conspiracy. — Slaughter  of  the  Indians. — 
M^rch  of  the  Spaniards  for  Osachile,— Battle  in  the  Moiass.    180 


VIU 


CONTENTS. 


pAoa 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Winter  Quarters. 

Incidents  of  the  March. — Passage  of  the  River, — Entering  Anha- 
yea. — Exploring  Expeditionn. — De  Soto's  desire  for  Peace, — 
Capture  of  Capifi. — His  Escape. — Embarras*n<cnt»  of  De 
Soto. — Letter  of  Isabella. — Exploration  of  the  Coastt, — Dis- 
covery of  the  Bay  of  Pensacola. — Testimony  Mft%\ytc\'\ng  Cofa- 
chiqui. — The  March  Resumed.  ....  lyg 

*    T  CHAPTER    XIII. 

Lost  in  the  Wilderness. 

Incidents  at  Achise. — Arrival  at  Cofa. — Friendly  Rcceprion  by 
Cofaqui. —  The  Armed  Retinue. — Commishiun  of  I'atofa. — 
Splendors  of  the  March. — Lost  in  the  Wildcrne**, — Peril  of 
the  Army. — Friendly  Relations. — The  Escape  from  the  Wil- 
derness.— They  Reach  the  Frontiers  of  ("ofa4cl)ir|ui, — Dismis- 
sal of  Patofa. — Wonderful  Reception  by  tlie  I'rinccstJt  frf  Cofa- 
chiqui.   .....,.,  220 

>r       *  CHAPTER  XIV.  .         . 

""  '     * ''    The  Indian  Princess.  . 

Crossing  the  River. — Hospitable  Reception, — Attempts  to  visit 
the  Queen  Mother. — Suicide  of  the  Prince, — Futile  »carch  for 
Gold.— The  Discovery  of  Pearls.— The  Pearl  Fishery,— The 
Princess  a  Captive.-^Held  in    Silken  Cliainf*,— ficr  Escape. 

'       — Location  of  Cutifachiqui. — The  March  KeKumed.    ,  .  240 

CHAPTER  XV.     . 

;  The  Dreadful  Battle  of  Mohila. 

The  Army  in  Alabama. — Barbaric  Pageant. — The  Chief  of  Tusca- 
loosa.— Native  Dignity. — Suspected  Treachery  of  the  Chief. 
— Mobila,  its  Location  and  Importance, — Cunning  of  the 
Chief. — The  Spaniards  Attacked. — Incident*  of  the  Battle. 
— Disastrous  Results.    ......  259 


CONTENTS. 


ill 


CIIAPTI'IH  XVI. 
Days  of  Dar/oifis.i. 


PAOX 


The  Melancholy  Encampment, — Th«  KIcct  iU  I'cnsacola. — Singu- 
lar Resolve  of  De  Soto. — Iloiitililyof  the  Natives. — Beautiful 
Scenery. — Winter  Quarters  oh  iIi«  Yazoo, — Feigned  Friend- 
ship of  the  Cacique. — Trickery  of  Juan  Ortiz. — The  Terrible 
Battle  of  Chickasaw. — Dreadful  I  .tmn  of  the  Spaniards.  .  276 

CHAITKIi   XVII. 

The  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi.  '  • 

The  Fortress  of  Hostile  Indiann, — ItN  (^ftpturc, — The  Disastrous 
Conflict. — The  Advance  of  the  Army, — Discovery  of  the 
Mississippi  River. — Prc|)aration»«  for  Crossing. — Extraordi- 
nary Pageants. — Unjustifiaijic  AUiick.— The  passage  of  the 
River. — Friendly  Reception  hy  Citw)uin. — Extraordinary  Re- 
ligious Festival.  ......  296 

CHAPTER    XVIII.  '        . 

Vagmttt  Wandenngs. 

Trickery  of  Casquin. — The  March  Ut  (!aptthtt. — The  Battle  and 
its  Results.— Friendly  Relations  with  Capnha. — The  Return 
Journey. —  The  March  Souihwanl.  —  Salt  Springs.  —  The 
Savages  of  Tulu. — Their  Ferocity, — Anecdote. — Despond- 
ency of  De  Soto.  ...  .  .  3^5 


CHAPTER   XIX. 
Death  of  De  Soto, 

Ascent  of  the  Mississippi. — Revenge  of  (luachoya. — Sickness  of 
De  Soto. — Affecting  Leave-takliig,™ni«»  Dcat.i  and  Burial. — 
The  March  for  Mexico. — Return  t'»lh«i  Mi»«(l»sippi. — Descent 
of  the  River. — Dispersion  of  the  Expedition, — Death  of  Isa- 
bella.    .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .334 


t"^     I*"". 


^^""V. 


!        •      ^: 


CHAPTER  I. 


Childhood  and  Youth. 


Birthplace  of  Ferdinand  De  Soto. — Spanish  Colony  at  Darien. — Don 
Pedro  de  Avila,  Governor  of  Darien. — Vasco  Nunez. — Famine. 
— Love  in  the  Spanish  Castle. — Character  of  Isabella. — Embar- 
rassment of  De  Soto. — Isabella's  Parting  Counsel. 

In  the  interior  of  Spain,  about  one  hundred  and 
thirty  miles  southwest  of  Madrid,  there  is  the  small 
walled  town  of  Xeres.  It  is  remote  from  all  great 
routes  of  travel,  and  contains  about  nine  thousand 
inhabitants,  living  very  frugally,  and  in  a  state  of 
primitive  simplicity.  There  are  several  rude  castles 
of  the  ancient  nobility  here,  and  numerous  gloomy, 
monastic  institutions.  Tn  one  of  these  dilapidated 
castles,  there  was  born,  in  the  year  1 500,  a  boy,  who 
received  the  name  of  Ferdinand  de  Soto.  His  par- 
ents were  Spanish  nobles,  perhaps  the  most  haughty 
class  of  nobility  which  has  ever  existed.  It  was, 
however,  a  decayed  family,  so  impoverished  as  to 
find  it  difficult  to  maintain  the  position  of  gentility. 
The  parents  were  not  able  to  give  their  son  a  liberal 
education.     Their  rank  did  not  allow  them  to  intro- 


lO 


DE    SOTO 


II 


duce  him  to  any  of  the  pursuits  of  industry ;  and  so 
far  as  can  now  be  learned,  the  years  of  his  early 
youth  were  spent  in  idleness. 

Ferdinand  was  an  unusually  handsome  boy.  He 
grew  up  tall,  well  formed,  and  with  remarkable  mus- 
cular strength  and  agility.  He  greatly  excelled  in 
fencing,  horseback  riding,  and  all  those  manly  exer- 
cises which  were  then  deemed  far  more  essential  for 
a  Spanish  gentleman  than  literary  culture.  He  was 
fearless,  energetic,  self-reliant ;  and  it  was  manifest 
that  he  was  endowed  with  mental  powers  of  much 
native  strength. 

When  quite  a  lad  he  attracted  the  attention  of  a 
wealthy  Spanish  nobleman,  Don  Pedro  de  Avila,  who 
sent  him  to  one  of  the  Spanish  universities,  probably 
that  of  Saragossa,  and  maintained  him  there  for  sijc 
years.  Literary  culture  was  not  then  in  high  repute ; 
but  it  was  deemed  a  matter  of  very  great  moment 
that  a  nobleman  of  Spain  should  excel  in  horseman- 
ship, in  fencing,  and  in  wielding  every  weapon  of  at- 
tack or  defence. 

Ferdinand  became  quite  renowned  for  his  lofty 
bearing,  and  for  all  chivalric  accomplishments.  At 
the  tournaments,  and  similar  displays  of  martial 
prowess  then  in  vogue,  he  was  prominent,  exciting 
the  envy  of  competitive  cavaliers,  and  winning  the 
admiration  of  the  ladies. 


CHILDHOOD    AND    YOUTH. 


II 


Don  Pedro  became  very  proud  of  his  foster  son, 
received  him  to  his  family,  and  treated  him  as  though 
he  were  his  own  child.  The  Spanish  court  had  at 
that  time  established  a  very  important  colony  at  the 
province  of  Darien,  on  the  Isthmus  of  Panama. 
This  isthmus,  connecting  North  and  South  America, 
is  about  three  hundred  miles  long  and  from  forty  to 
sixty  broad.  A  stupendous  range  of  mountains  runs 
along  its  centre,  apparently  reared  as  an  eternal  bar- 
rier between  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans.  From 
several  of  the  summits  of  this  ridge  the  waters  of 
the  two  oceans  can  at  the  same  time  be  distinctly 
seen.  Plere  the  Spanish  court,  in  pursuit  of  its  en- 
ergetic but  cruel  conquest  of  America,  had  estab- 
lished one  of  its  most  merciless  colonies.  There 
was  gold  among  the  mountains.  The  natives  had 
many  golden  ornaments.  They  had  no  conception 
of  the  value  of  the  precious  ore  in  civilized  lands. 
Readily  they  would  exchange  quite  large  masses  of 
gold  for  a  few  glass  beads.  The  great  object  of  the 
Spaniards  in  the  conquest  of  Darien  was  to  obtain 
gold.  They  inferred  that  if  the  ignorant  natives, 
without  any  acquaintance  with  the  arts,  had  ob- 
taiaed  so  much,  there  must  be  immense  quantities 
which  careful  searching  and  skilful  mining  would  re- 
veal. 

The  wanton  cruelties  practised  by  the  Spaniards 


1.2 


DE    SOTO. 


upon  the  unoffending  natives  of  these  climes  seem  io 
have  been  as  senseless  as  they  were  fiendlike.  It  is 
often  difficult  to  find  any  motive  fot  thefr  atrocities. 
These  crimes  are  thoroughly  authenticated,  and  yet 
they  often  seem  like  the  outbursts  of  denioniac  ma- 
lignity. Anything  like  a  faithful  recital  of  them 
would  torture  the  sensibilities  of  our  readers  almost 
beyond  endurance.  Mothers  and  maidens  were 
hunted  and  torn  down  by  bloodhounds ;  infant  chil- 
dren were  cut  in  pieces,  and  their  quivering  limbs 
thrown  to  the  famished  dogs. 

The  large  wealth  and  the  rank  of  Don  Pedro  de 
Avila  gave  him  much  influence  at  the  Spanish  court. 
He  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  n\j>ch-coveted  ap- 
pointment of  Governor  of  Darien.  His  authority 
was  virtually  absolute  over  the  property,  the  liberty, 
and  the  lives  of  a  realm,  whose  extended  limits  were 
not  distinctly  defined. 

Don  Pedro  occupied  quite  an  imposing  castle,  his 
ancestral  mansion,  in  the  vicinity  of  Badajoz.  Here 
the  poor  boy  Ferdinand,  though  descended  from  fam- 
ilies of  the  highest  rank,  was  an  entire  dependent 
upon  his  benefactor.  The  haughty  Don  Pedro 
treated  him  kindly.  Still  he  regarded  him,  in  conse- 
quence of  his  poverty,  almost  as  a  favored  menial. 
He  fed  him,  clothed  him,  patronized  him. 

It  was  in  the  year  15 14  that  Don  Pedro  entered 


CIIILUIIOOD    AND    YOUTH. 


13 


upon  his  office  of  Governor  of  Darien.  The  insa- 
tiate thirst  for  gold  caused  crowds  to  flock  to  his 
banners.  A  large  fleet  was  soon  equipped,  and  more 
than  two  thousand  persons  embarked  at  St.  Lucar  for 
the  golden  land.  The  most  of  these  were  soldiers  ; 
men  of  sensuality,  ferocity,  and  thirst  for  plunder. 
Not  a  few  noblemen  joined  Ine  enterprise ;  some  to 
add  to  their  already  vast  possessions,  and  others  hop- 
ing to  retrieve  their  impoverished  fortunes. 

A  considerable  number  of  priests  accompanied 
the  expedition,  and  it  is  very  certain  that  some  of 
these  at  least  were  actuated  by  a  sincere  desire  to  do 
good  to  the  natives,  and  to  win  them  to  the  religion 
of  Jesus : — that  religion  which  demands  that  we 
should  do  to  others  as  we  would  that  others  should 
do  to  us,  and  whose  principles,  the  governor,  the  no- 
bles, and  the  soldiers,  were  ruthlessly  trampling  be- 
neath their  feet.  Doii  Pedro,  when  measured  by  the 
standard  of  Christianity,  was  proud,  perfidious  and 
tyrannical.  The  course  he  pursued  upon  his  arfival 
in  the  country  was  impolitic  and  almost  insane. 

His  predecessor  in  the  governorship  was  Vasco 
Nunez.  He  had  been  on  the  whole  a  prudent,  able 
and  comparatively  merciful  governor.  He  had  en- 
tered into  trade  with  the  natives,  and  had  so  far  se- 
cured their  good  will  as  to  induce  them  to  bring  in 
an  ample  supply  of  provisions  for  his  colony.     He 


14 


DE    SOTO. 


had  sent  out  Indian  explorers,  with  careful  instruc- 
tions to  search  the  gold  regions  among  the  moun- 
tains. Don  Pedro,  upon  assuming  the  reins  of  gov- 
ernment, became  very  jealous  of  the  popularity  of 
Nuiiez,  whom  he  supplanted.  His  enmity  soon  be- 
came so  implacable  that,  without  any  cause,  he  ac- 
cused him  of  treason  and  ordered  him  to  be  decapi- 
tated. The  sentence  was  executed  in  the  public 
square  of  Ada.  Don  Pedro  himself  gazed  on  the 
cruel  spectacle  concealed  in  a  neighboring  house. 
He  seemed  ashamed  to  meet  the  reproachful  eye  of 
his  victim,  as  with  an  axe  his  head  was  cut  off  upon 
a  block.  .  "       •  •  .        . 

All  friendly  relations  with  the  Indians  were 
speedily  terminated.  They  were  robbed  of  their 
gold,  of  their  provisions,  and  their  persons  were  outr. 
raged  in  the  most  cruel  manner.  The  natives,  ter- 
ror-stricken, fled  from  the  vicinity  of  the  colony,  and 
suddenly  the  Spaniards  found  all  their  supplies  of 
provisions  cut  off.  More  than  two  thousand  were 
crowded  into  a  narrow  space  on  the  shores  of  the 
gulf,  with  no  possibility  of  obtaining  food.  They 
were  entirely  unprepared  for  any  farming  operations, 
having  neither  agricultural  tools  nor  seed.  Neither 
if  they  had  them  could  they  wait  for  the  slow  advent 
of  the  harvest.  Famine  commenced  its  reign,  and 
with  famine,  its  invariable  attendant,  pestilence.     In 


CHILDHOOD    AND    YOUTH. 


1$ 


less  than  six  months,  of  all  the  glittering  hosts,  which 
with  music  and  banners  had  landed  upon  the  isth- 
mus, expecting  soon  to  return  to  Europe  with  their 
ships  freighted  with  gold,  but  a  few  hundred  were 
found  alive,  and  they  were  haggard  and  in  rags. 

The  Spaniards  had  robbed  the  Indians  of  their 
golden  trinkets,  but  these  trinkets  could  not  be  eaten 
and  they  would  purchase  no  food.  They  were  as 
worthless  as  pebbles  picked  from  the  beach.  Often  ' 
lumps  of  gold,  or  jewels  of  inestimable  value,  were 
offered  by  one  starving  wretch  to  another  for  a  piece 
of  mouldy  bread.  The  colony  would  have  become 
entirely  extinct,  but  for  the  opportune  arrival  of  ves- 
sels from  Spain  with  provisions.  Don  Pedro  had 
sent  out  one  or  two  expeditions  of  half-famished  men 
to  seize  the  rice,  Indian  corn,  and  other  food,  wher- 
ever such  food  could  be  found.  ^ 

The  natives  had  sufficient  intelligence  to  perceive 
that  the  colonists  were  fast  wasting  away.     The  In- 
dians were  gentle  and  amiable  in  character,  and  nat- 
urally timid  ;  with  no  taste  for  the  ferocities  of  war. 
But  emboldened  by  the  miseries  of  the  colonies,  and 
beginning  to  despise  their  weakness,  they  fell  upon   - 
the  foraging  parties  with  great  courage  and  drove^ 
them  back  ignominiously  to  the  coast.     The  arrival    - 
of  the  ships  to  which  we  have  referred  with  provis- 


.  ..r-f 


i6 


DE    SOTO. 


• 


ions  and  reinforcements,  alone  saved  the  colony  from 
utter  extinction. 

Don  Pedro,  after  having  been  in  the  colony  five 
years,  returned  to  Spain  to  obtain  new  acquisitions 
of  strength  in  men  and  means  for  the  prosecution  of 
ever-enlarging  plans  of  wealth  and  ambition.  North 
and  south  of  the  narrow  peninsula  were  the  two  ma- 
jestic continents  of  North  and  South  America. 
They  both  invited  incursions,  where  nations  c<  d 
be  overthrown,  empires  established,  fame  won,  and 
where  mountains  of  gold  might  yet  be  found. 

It  seems  that  De  Soto  had  made  the  castle  of 
Don  Pedro,  near  Badajoz,  his  home  during  the  ab- 
sence of  the  governor.  There  all  his  wants  had 
been  provided  for  through  the  charitable  munifi- 
cence of  his  patron.  He  probably  had  spent  his 
term  time  at  the  university.  He  was  now  nineteen 
years  of  age,  and  seemed  to  have  attained  the  full 
maturity  of  his  physical  system,'  and  had  developed 
into  a  remarkably  elegant  young  man. 

The  family  of  Don  Pedro  had  apparently  remain- 
ed at  the  castle.  His  second  daughter,  Isabella,  was 
a  very  beautiful  girl  in  her  sixteenth  year.  She  had 
already  been  presented  at  the  resplendent  court  of 
Spain,  where  she  had  attracted  great  admiration. 
Rich,  beautiful  and  of  illustrious  birth,  many  noble- 
men had  sought  her  hand,  and  among  the  rest,  one 


CHILDHOOD    AND    YOUTH. 


i1 


of  the  princes  of  the  blood  royal.  But  Isabella  and 
De  Soto,  much  thrown  together  in  the  paternal  cas- 
tle, had  very  naturally  fitlen  in  love  with  each  other. 

The  haughty  governor  was  one  day  exceedingly 
astounded  and  enraged,  that  De  Soto  had  the  audac- 
ity to  solicit  the  hand  of  his  daughter  in  marriage. 
In  the  most  contemptuous  and  resentful  manner,  he 
repelled  the  proposition  as  an  insult,  De  Soto  was 
keenly  wounded.  He  v'as  himself  a  man  of  noble 
birth.  He  hnd  no  superior  among  all  the  young  no- 
blemen arouna  him,  in  any  chivalric  accomplishment. 
The  only  thing  wanting  was  money.  Don  Pedro 
loved  his  daughter,  was  proud  of  her  beauty  and  ce- 
lebrity, and  was  fully  aware  that  she  had  a  very  de- 
cided will  of  her  own. 

After  the  lapse  of  a  few  days,  the  governor  was 
not  a  little  alarmed  by  a  statement,  which  the  gover- 
ness of  the  young  lady  ventured  to  make  to  him. 
She  assured  him  that  Isabella  had  given  her  whole 
heart  to  De  Soto,  and  tnat  she  had  declared  it  to  be 
her  unalterable  resolve  to  retire  to  a  convent,  rather 
than  to  become  the  wife  of  any  other  person.  Don 
Pedro  was  almost  frantic  with  rage.  As  totally  de- 
void of  moral  principle  as  he  was  of  human  feelings, 
he  took  measures  to  have  De  Soto  assassinated. 
Such  is  the  uncontradicted  testimony  of  contempo- 
rary historians.     But  every  day  revealed  to  him  more 


I  a 


DE   SOTO. 


clearly  the  strength  of  Isabella's  attachment  for  Dc 
Soto,  and  the  inflexibility  of  her  will.  He  became  se- 
riously alarmed,  not  only  fro#i  the  apprehension  that 
if  her  wishes  were  thwarted,  no  earthly  power  could 
prevent  her  from  burying  herself  in  a  convent,  but 
he  even  feared  that  if  De  Soto  were  to  be  assassina- 
ted, she  would,  by  self-sacrifice,  follow  him  to  the 
world  of  spirits.  This  caused  hira  to  feign  partial 
reconciliation,  and  to  revolve  in  his  mind  more  cau- 
tious plans  for  his  removal. 

He  decided  to  take  De  Soto  back  with  him  to 
Darien.  The  historians  of  those  days  represent  that 
it  was  his  intention  to  expose  his  young  prot'ige  to 
such  perils  in  wild  adventures  in  the  New  World,  as 
would  almost  certainly  secure  his  death.  De  Soto 
himself,  proud  though  poor,  was  tortured  by  the  con- 
temptuous treatment  which  he  received,  even  from 
the  menials  in  the  castle,  who  were  aware  of  his  re- 
jection by  their  proud  lord.  He  therefore  eagerly 
availed  himself  of- the  invitation  of  Don  Pedro  to 
join  in  a  new  expedition  which  he  was  fitting  out  for 
Darien. 

He  resolved,  at  whatever  sacrifice,  to  be  rich. 
The  acquisition  of  gold,  and  the  accumulation  of 
fame,  became  the  great  objects  of  his  idolatry.  With 
these  he  could  not  only  again  claim  the  hand  of  Isa- 
bella, but  the  haughty  Don  Pedro  would  eagerly  seek 


CHILDHOOD    ANI>    VOUTIf. 


19 


the  alliance  of  a  man  of  wealth  and  renown.  Thou- 
sands of  adventurers  were  tb'^n  crowding  to  the 
shores  of  the  New  World,  lured  by  the  accounts  of 
the  boundless  wealth  which  it  was  Haid  could  there 
be  found,  and  inspired  by  the  pasnion  'vhich  then 
pervaded  Christendom,  of  obtaining  ccljurity  by  the 
performance  of  chivalric  deeds.  - 

Many  had  returned  greatly  enriched  by  the  plun- 
der of  provinces.  The  names  of  Pizarro  and  Cortez 
had  been  borne  on  the  wings  of  renown  through  all 
the  countries  of  Europe,  exciting  in  all  honorable 
minds  disgust,  in  view  of  tiicir  perfidy  and  cruelty, 
and  inspiring  others  with  emotions  of  admiration,  in 
contemplation  of  the'.r  heroic  adventures. 

De  Soto  was  grea'^ly  embarrassed  l)y  his  poverty. 
Both  his  parents  'vere  dead.  Me  was  friendless ; 
and  it  was  quite  impossible  for  him  to  provide  himself 
with  an  outfit  suitable  to  the  condition  of  a  Spanish 
grandee.  The  insulting  treatment  he  had  received 
from  Don  Pedro  rendered  it  impossible  for  him  to 
approach  that  haught'-  man  as  a  su|)pliant  for  aid. 
But  Don  Pedro  did  not  dare  to  leave  I)e  Soto  behind 
him.  The  family  were  to  remain  in  the  ancestral 
home.  And  it  was  very  certain  that,  Don  Pedro  be- 
ing absent,  ere  long  he  would  h'"ar  of  the  elopement 
of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella.  Thus  influenced,  he 
offered  De  Soto  a  free  passage  to  Darien,  a  captain's 


20 


'    DE    SOTO. 


commission  with  a  suitable  outfit,  and  pledj^cd  him- 
self that  he  should  have  ample  opportunity  of  ac- 
quiring wealth  and  distinction,  in  an  expedition  he 
was  even  then  organizing  for  the  conqufst  of  Peru. 
As  Don  Pedro  made  these  overtures  to  the  young 
man,  with  apparently  the  greatest  cordiality,  assum- 
ing that  De  Soto,  by  embarking  in  the  all-important 
enterprise,  would  confer  a  favor  rather  than  receive 
one,  the  offer  was  eagerly  accepted.  .  t 

Don  Pedro  did  everything  in  his  power  to  pre- 
vent the  two  lovers  from,  having  any  private  inter- 
view before  the  expedition  sailed,  liut  the  ingenu- 
ity of  love  as  usual  triumphed  over  th.it  of  avarice. 
Isabella  and  De  Soto  met,  and  solemnly  pledged  con- 
stancy to  each  other.  It  .seems  that  I«abclla  thor- 
oughly understood  the  charicter  of  her  father,  and 
knew  that  he  would  shrink  from  no  crime  in  the  ac- 
complishment of  his  purposes.  As  she  took  her 
final  leave  of  her  lover,  she  said  to  him,  very  .solemn- 
ly and  impressively, 

"  Ferdinand,  remember  that  one  treacherous 
friend  is  more  dangerous  than  a  thousand  avowed 


enemies. 


CHAPTICR   ir, 


The  Spanish    Colony. 


Character  of  De  Soto.— Cruel  Command  of  Don  Pedro.— Incident. 

The  Duel.— Uracca.— Consternation  at  Daricn.— -Expedition  Or- 
ganized.—Uracco's  Reception  of  iCHpinoH.i  and  his  Troops.— 
The  Spaniards  Retreat.— De  Soto  Indignant.— Espinosa's  Cruel- 
ty, and  Deposition  from  Comniantl, 

It  was  in  the  year  1 5 19,  when  the  expedition  sailed 
from  St.  Lucar  for  Daricn.  VVc  have  no  account  of 
the  incidents  which  occurred  during  the  voyage. 
The  fieet  reached  Daricn  in  Hufcty,  and  the  Spanish 
adventurers,  encased  in  coats  of  mail,  which  the  ar- 
rows and  javelins  of  the  natives  could  not  pierce, 
mounted  on  powerful  war  horncs,  armed  with  mus- 
kets and  cannon,  and  with  pack.-*  of  ferocious  blood- 
hounds at  their  command,  were  all  prepared  to  scat- 
ter the  helpless  natives  before  them,  as  the  whirl- 
wind scatters  autumnal  leaves, 

De  Soto  was  then  but  nineteen  years  of  age.  In 
stature  and  character  l--  was  a  mature  man.  There 
are  many  indications  that  he  was  a  young  man  of 
humane  and  honorable  instincts,  shrinking  from  the 
deeds  of  cruelty  and  injustice  which  he  saw  every- 


O'? 


1)E    SOTO, 


where  perpetrated  around  him.  It  is  however  prob- 
able, that  under  the  rigor  of  military  law,  he  at  times 
felt  constrained  to  obey  commands  from  which  his 
kindly  nature  recoiled. 

Don  Pedro  was  a  monster  of  cruelty.  He  gave 
De  Soto  command  of  a  troop  of  horse.  He  sent  him 
on  many  expeditions  which  required  not  only  great 
courage,  but  military  sagacity  scarcely  to  be  expect- 
ed in  one  so  young  and  inexperienced.  It  is  how- 
ever much  to  the  credit  of  De  Soto,  that  the  annal- 
ists of  those  days  never  mentioned  his  name  in  con- 
nection with  those  atrocities  which  disgraced  the 
administration  of  Don  Pedro.  He  even  ventured  at 
times  to  refuse  obedience  to  the  orders  of  the  gov- 
ernor, when  commanded  to  engage  in  some  service 
which  he  deemed  dishonorable. 

One  remarkable  instance  of  this  moral  and  phys- 
ical intrepidity  is  on  record.  Don  Pedro  had  deter- 
mined upon  the  entire  destruction  of  a  little  village 
occupied  by  the  natives.  The  torch  was  to  be  ap- 
plied, and  men,  women  and  children,  were  to  be  put 
to  the  sword.  Don  Pedro  had  issued  such  a  com- 
mand as  this,  with  as  much  indifference  as  he  would 
have  placed  his  foot  upon  an  anthill.  It  is  not  im- 
probable that  one  of  the  objects  he  had  in  view  was 
to  impose  a  revolting  task  upon  De  Soto,  that  he 
might  be,  as  it  were,  whipped  into  implicit  obedience. 


I  HE    SPANISH    COLONY. 


n 


He  therefore  sent  one  of  the  most  infamous  of  his 
captains  to  De  Soto  with  the  command  that  he 
should  immediately  take  a  troop  of  horse,  proceed  to 
the  doomed  village,  gallop  into  its  peaceful  and  de- 
fenceless street,  set  fire  to  every  dwelling,  and  with 
their  keen  sabres,  cut  down  every  man,  woman  and 
child.      It  was  a  deed  fit  only  for  demons  to  execute. 

De  Soto  deemed  himself  insulted  in  being  ordered 
on  such  a  mission.  This  was  not  war, — it  was  butch- 
cry.  The  defenceless  natives  could  make  no  resist- 
ance.    Indignantly  and  heroically  he  replied :  / 

"  Tell  Don  Pedro,  the  governor,  that  my  life  and 
services  are  always  at  his  disposal,  when  the  duty  to 
be  performed  is  such  as  may  become  a  Christian  and 
a  gentleman.  But  in  the  present  case,  I  think  the 
governor  would  have  shown  more  discretion  by  en- 
trusting you.  Captain  Perez,  with  this  commission, 
instead  of  sending  you  with  the  order  to  myself." 

This  reply  Captain  Perez  might  certainly  regard 
as  reflecting  very  severely  upon  his  own  character, 
and  as  authorizing  him  to  demand  that  satisfaction 
which,  under  such  circumstances,  one  cavalier  expects 
of  another.  He  however  x:arried  the  message  to  the 
governor.  Don  Pedro  was  highly  gratified.  He  saw 
that  a  duel  was  the  necessary  result.  Captain  Perez 
vv'as  a  veteran  soldier,  and  was  the  most  expert 
swordsman  in  the  army.     He  was  famed  for  his  quar- 


"^'.- 


24 


DE    SOTO. 


relsome  disposition  ;  had  already  fought  many  duels, 
in  which  he  had  invariably  killed  his  man.  In  a  ren- 
contre between  the  youthful  De  Soto  and  the  veter- 
an Captain  Perez,  there  could  be  no  doubt  in  the 
mind  of  the  governor  as  to  the  result.  He  therefore 
smiled  very  blandly  upon  Captain  Perez,  and  said  in 
language  which  the  captain  fully  understood  :      ^ 

"Well,  my  friend,  if  you,  who  are  a  vetd^n  sol- 
diei,  can  endure  the  insolence  of  this  young  man, 
De  Soto,  I  see  no  reason  why  an  infirm  old  man  like 
myself  should  not  show  equal  forbearance." 

Captain  Perez  was  not  at  all  reluctant  to  take  the 
hint.  It  was  only  giving  him  an  oppo-'.unity  to  add 
another  to  the  list  of  those  who  had  fallen  before  his 
sword.  The  challenge  was  immediately  given.  De 
Soto's  doom  was  deemed  sealed.  Duels  in  the  Span- 
ish army  were  fashionable,  and  there  was  no  moral 
sentiment  which  recoiled  in  the  slightest  degree  from 
the  barbaric  practice. 

The  two  combatants  met  with  drawn  swords  in 
the  presence  of  nearly  all  the  officers  of  the  colonial 
army,  and  of  a  vast  concourse  of  spectators.  The 
stripling  De  Soto  displayed  skill  with  his  weapon 
which  not  only  baffled  his  opponent,  but  which  ex- 
cited the  surprise  and  admiration  of  all  the  on-look- 
ers.  For  two  hours  the  deadly  conflict  continued, 
without  any  decisive  results.      De  Soto  had  received 


SCENES  IN  THE  PACIPIO. 


OQ 


A  lovely  little  Spanish  woman  met  us  at  the 
'^oor,  and,  after  exchanging  a  few  words  with  her 
husband,  she  embraced  me  affectionately,  led  me 
to  a  pleasant  little  room  looking  out  upon  the  bay, 
and  placed  a  loaf  of  bread  and  pitcher  of  milk  on  a 
table  by  my  side.  She  seemed  really  grieved  be- 
cause I  could  not  swallow  one  mouthful.  My  feel- 
ings were  fast  gaining  the  ascendency.  So  much 
sympathy  as  she  expressed,  by  her  gestures  and 
tender  offices,  completely  won  my  affections. 

I  had  taken  very  little  food  after  learning  the 
ship  was  on  fire,  and,  with  feelings  all  the  while 
wrought  to  such  a  state  of  excitement,  the  revulsion 
well-nigh  prostrated  me.  In  the  meantime,  word 
had  reached  the  settlement  that  there  was  a  ship 
in  distress  outside,  and  a  number  of  the  most  popu- 
lar men  of  the  place  had  started  to  render  any 
necessary  assistance.  Sometime  after  noon,  they 
reached  the  Spaniard's  house,  where  we  were,  and 
learning  of  Mr.  Wood  the  particulars,  took  him  into 
the  boat,  and,  with  the  exception  of  three  of  them, 
proceeded  to  meet  the  ship.  It  was  blowing  so 
hard,  they  would  be  compelled  to  boat  the  ship  up 
the  bay,  which  would,  of  course,  occupy  some  time. 
Mr.  Hamlin,  the  physician,  the  surveyor-general, 
and  the  clergyman,  (the  three  who  remained,)  pro- 

3* 


26 


DE    SOTO. 


were  but  a  handful  among  them.  But  the  war  horse, 
bloodhounds,  steel  coats  of  mail  and  gunpowder, 
gave  them  an  immense,  almost  resistless  superiority. 

There  was  at  this  time,  about  the  year  1521,  an 
Indian  chief  by  the  name  of  Uracca,  who  reigned 
over  quite  a  populous  nation,  occupying  one  of  the 
northern  provinces  of  the  isthmus.  He  was  a  man 
of.  unusual  intelligence  and  ability.  The  outrages 
which  the  Spaniards  were  perpetrating  roused  all  his 
energies  of  resentment,  and  he  resolved  to  adopt  des- 
perate measures  for  their  extermination.  He  gath- 
ered an  army  of  twenty  thousand  men.  In  that  warm 
climate,  in  accordance  with  immemorial  usage,  they 
went  but  half  clothed.  Their  weapons  were  mainly 
bows,  with  poisoned  arrows;  though  they  had  also 
javelins  and  clumsy  swords  made  of  a  hard  kind  of 
wood. 

The  tidings  of  the  approach  of  this  army  excited 
the  greatest  consternation  at  Darien.  A  shower  of 
poisoned  arrows  from  the  strong  arms  of  twenty  thou- 
sand native  warriors,  driven  forward  by  the  energies 
of  despair,  even  these  steel-clad  adventurers  could 
not  contemplate  without  dread.  The  Spaniards  had 
taught  the  natives  cruelty.  They  had  hunted  them 
down  with  bloodhounds ;  they  had  cut  off  their  hands 
with  the  sword ;  they  had  fed  their  dogs  with  their 
infants ;   had  tortured  them  at  slow  fires  and  cast 


THE    SPANISH    COLONY. 


V 


their  children  into  the  flames.  They  could  not  ex- 
pect that  the  natives  could  be  more  merciful  than  the 
Spaniards  had  been. 

Don  Pedro,  instead  of  waiting  the  •arrival  of  his 
foes,  decided  to  assail  the  army  on  its  march,  hoping 
to  take  it  by  surprise  and  to  throw  consternation  into 
the  advancing  ranks.  He  divided  his  army  of  attack 
into  two  parties.  One  division  of  about  one  hundred 
men,  he  sent  in  two  small  vessels  along  the  western 
coast  of  the  isthmus,  to  invade  the  villages  of  Urac- 
ca,  hoping  thus  to  compel  the  Indian  chief  to  draw 
back  his  army  for  the  defence  of  his  own  territories. 
This  expedition  was  under  the  command  of  General 
Espinosa.  ' 

The  main  body  of  the  Spanish  troops,  consisting 
of  about  two  hundred  men,  marched  along  the  east- 
ern shore  of  the  isthmus,  intending  eventually  to  ef- 
fect a  junction  with  the  naval  force  in  the  realms  of 
the  foe.  The  energetic,  but  infamous  Franc'sco  Pi- 
zarro,  led  these  troops.  A  very  important  part  of 
his  command  consisted  of  a  band  of  dragoons,  thirty 
or  forty  in  number,  under  the  leadership  of  De  Soto. 
His  steel-clad  warriors  were  well  mounted,  with  hous- 
ings which  greatly  protected  their  steeds  from  the 
arrows  of  the  natives. 

The  wary  Indian  chieftain,  who  developed  during 
the  campaign  military  abilities  of  a  high  order,  had 


at 


DE    SOTO. 


his  scouts  out  in  all  directions.  They  discerned  in 
the  distant  horizon  the  approach  of  the  two  vessels, 
and  swift  runners  speedily  reported  the  fact  to  Urac- 
ca.  He  immediately  marched  with  a  force  in  his 
judgm  nt  sufficiently  strong  to  crush  the  invaders, 
notwithstanding  their  vast  superiority  in  arms. 

The  Spaniards  entered  a  sheltered  1  ay  skirted  by 
a  plain,  which  could  be  swept  by  their  guns,  and 
where  the  Indian  warriors  would  have  no  opportunity 
to  hide  in  ambush.  Uracca  allowed  the  Spaniards 
to  disembark  unopposed.  He  stationed  his  troops, 
several  thousand  in  number,  in  a  hilly  country,  several 
leagues  distant  from  the  place  of  landing,  which  was 
broken  with  chasms  and  vast  boulders,  and  covered 
with  tropical  forest.  Here  every  Indian  could  fight 
behind  a  rampart,  and  the  Spaniards  CQuld  only  ap- 
proach in  the  scattered  line  of  skirmishers.  The 
proud  Spaniards  advanced  in  their  invading  march 
with  as  much  of  war's  pageantry  as  could  be  assumed. 
They  hoped  that  nodding  plumes  and  waving  ban- 
ners, and  trumpet  peals,  would  strike  with  conster- 
nation the  heart  of  the  Indians. 

Uracca  calmly  awaited  their  approach.  His  men 
were  so  concealed  that  Espinosa  could  form  no  judg- 
ment of  their  numbers  or  position.  Indeed  he  was 
scarcely  conscious  that  there  was  any  foe  there  who 
would  venture  to  oppose  his  march.     Accustomed  as 


THE    SPANISH    COLONY. 


29 


he  was  to  ride  rough  shod  over  the  naked  Indians, 
he  was  emboldened  by  a  fatal  contempt  for  the  prow- 
ess of  his  foe,  Uracca  allowed  the  Spaniards  to  be- 
come entangled  in  the  intricacies  of  rocks  and  gul- 
lies and  gigantic  forest  trees,  when  suddenly  he 
opened  upon  them  such  a  shower  of  poisoned  arrows 
as  the  Spaniards  had  never  encountered  before.  The 
touch  of  one  of  these  arrows,  breaking  the  skin, 
caused  immediate  and  intense  agony,  and  almost  cer- 
tain death.  The  sinewy  arms  of  the  Indians  could 
throw  these  sharp-pointed  weapons  with  almost  the 
precision  and  force  of  a  bullet,  and  with  far  greater 
rapidity  than  the  Spaniards  could  load  and  fire  their 
muskets. 

Espinosa  found  himself  assailed  by  a  foe  out- 
numbering him  ten  or  twenty  to  one.  The  air  was 
almost  darkened  with  arrows,  and  every  one  was 
thrown  with  unerring  aim.  The  rout  of  the  Span- 
iards was  almost  instantaneous.  Several  were  killed, 
many  wounded.  In  a  panic,  they  turned  and  fled 
precipitately  from  the  trap  in  which  they  had  been 
caught.  The  natives  impetuously  pursued,  showing 
no  quarter,  evidently  determined  to  exterminate  the 
whole  band. 

It  so  happened  that  De  Soto,  with  his  dragoons, 
had  left  Pizarro's  band,  and  in  a  military  incur- 
sion into    the    country,    was   approaching   the    bay 


30 


DE   SOTO. 


where  Espinosa  had  landed  his  troops.  Suddenly  the 
clamor  of  the  conflict  burst  upon  his  ear — the  shouts 
of  the  Indian  warriors  and  the  cry  of  the  fugitive 
Spaniards.  His  little  band  put  spurs  to  their  horses 
and  hastened  to  the  scene  of  action.  Very  great 
difBculties  impeded  their  progress.  The  rugged 
ground,  encumbered  by  rocks  and  broken  by  ravines, 
was  almost  impassable  for  horsemen.  But  the  energy 
of  De  Soto  triumphed  over  these  obstacles,  even  when 
the  bravest  of  his  companions  remonstrated  and  hesi- 
tated to  follow  him.  At  length  he  reached  the  open 
country  over  which  the  Spaniards  ,  ^'"e  rushing  to 
gain  their  ships,  pursued  by  the  Indians  x.  lumbers 
and  strength  which  seemed  to  render  the  destruction 
of  the  Spaniards  certain. 

The  natives  stood  in  great  dread  of  the  horses. 
When  they  saw  the  dragoons,  gltitcring  in  their  steel 
armor,  come  clattering  down  upon  the  plain,  their 
pursuit  was  instantly  checked.  ELspinosa,  thus  unex- 
pectedly reinforced,  rallied  his  panic-stricken  troops, 
and  in  good  ordjr  continued  the  retreat  to  the  ships. 
De  Soto  with  his  cavalry  occupied  the  post  of  danger 
as  rear-guard.  The  Indians  cautiously  followed, 
watching  for  every  opportunity  which  the  inequalities 
of  the  ground  might  offer,  to  assail  the  invaders  with 
showers  of  arrows.  Occasionally  De  Soto  would 
halt  and  turn  his  horses'  heads  towards  the  Indians. 


THE    SPANISH    COLONY. 


31 


Apprehensive  of  a  charge,  they  would  then  fall 
back.  The  retreat  was  thus  conducted  safely,  but 
slowly. 

The  Spaniards  had  advanced  many  leagues  from 
the  shores  of  the  Pacific.  They  were  now  almost 
perishing  from  hunger  and  fatigue.  Indian  bands 
were  coming  from  all  directions  to  reinforce  the  na- 
tive troops.  The  sun  was  going  down  and  night  was 
approaching.  All  hearts  were  oppressed  with  the 
Teatest  anxiety.  Just  then  Pizarro,  with  his  two 
hundred  men,  made  his  appearance.  He  had  not 
been  far  away,  and  a  courier  having  informed  him  of 
the  peril  of  the  Spaniards,  he  hastened  to  their  relief. 
Night  with  its  gloom  settled  down  over  the  plain,  and 
war's  hideous  clamor  was  for  a  few  hours  hushed. 
The  morning  would  usher  in  a  renewal  of  the  battle, 
under  circumstances  which  caused  the  boldest  hearts 
in  the  Spanish  camp  to  tremble. 

In  the  night  Generals  Espinosa  and  Pizarro  held  a 
council  of  war,  and  came  to  the  inglorious  resolve  to 
steal  away  under  the  protection  of  darkness,  leaving 
Uracca  in  undisputed  possession  of  the  field.  This 
decision  excited  the  indignation  of  De  Soto.  He 
considered  it  a  disgrace  to  the  Spanish  arms,  and  de- 
clared that  it  would  only  embolden  the  natives  in  all 
their  future  military  operations.  His  bitter  remon- 
strances were  only  answered  by  a  sneer  from  General 


32 


DE    SOTO. 


Espinosa,  who  assured  him  that  the  veteran  captains 
of  Spain  would  not  look  to  his  youth  and  inexperi- 
ence for  guidance  and  wisdom. 

At  midnight  the  Spaniards  commenced  their  re- 
treat as  secretly  and  silently  as  possible.  But  they 
had  a  foe  to  deal  with  who  was  not  easily  to  be  de- 
ceived. His  scouts  were  on  the  alert,  and  immediate 
notice  was  communicated  to  Uracca  of  the  move- 
ments of  the  Spaniards.  The  pursuit  was  conducted 
with  as  much  vi^or  as  the  flight.  For  eight  and  forty 
hours  the  fugitives  were  followed  so  closely,  and  with 
such  fierce  assailment,  that  large  numbers  of  the 
rank  and  file  perished.  The  officers  and  the  dragoons 
of  De  Soto,  wearing  defensive  armor,  generally  es- 
caped unharmed.  The  remnant  at  le.igth,  weary  and 
famine-stricken,  reached  their  ships  and  immediately 
put  to  sea.  With  the  exception  of  De  Soto's  dra- 
goons, they  numbered  but  fifty  men.  Deeply  despon- 
dent in  view  of  their  disastrous  campaign,  they  sailed 
several  leagues  along  the  western  coast  of  the  isth- 
mus towards  the  south,  till  they  reached  a  flourishing 
Indian  village  called  Borrica.  Conscious  that  here 
they  were  beyond  the  immediate  reach  of  Uracca's 
avenging  forces,  they  ventured  to  land.  They  found 
all  the  men  absent.  They  were  probably  in  the  ranks 
of  the  native  army. 

General  Espinosa,  who  was  now  chief  in  com- 


THE    SPANISH    COLONY. 


33 


mantl,  meanly  sacked  the  defenceless  village  and 
captured  all  the  women  and  children^  to  be  sent  to 
the  West  Indies  and  sold  as  slaves.  The  generous 
heart  of  De  Soto  was  roused  by  this  outraf;c\  He 
was  an  imperious  man,  and  was  never  disposed  to  be 
very  c  mplaisant  to  his  superiors.  Sternly  the  youn^ 
captain  rebuked  Espinosa  as  a  kidnapper,  stealing 
the  defenceless  ;  and  he  demanded  that  the  prisoners 
should  be  set  at  liberty.  An  angry  controversy  en- 
sued. De  Soto  accused  Espinosa  of  cowardice  and 
imbecility,  in  ordering  the  troops  of  .Sj)ain  to  retreat 
before  naked  savages.  Espinosa,  whose  domineering 
spirit  could  brook  no'  opposition,  accused  l)c  Soto  of 
mutinous  conduct,  and  threatened  to  report  him  to 
the  governor,  De  Soto  angrily  turned  his  heel  upon 
his  superior  officer  and  called  upon  nis  troops  to 
mount  their  horses.  Riding  proudly  at  therr  head,  he 
approached  the  tent  of  Espinosa  and  thus  addressed 
him :  • 

"  Sefior  Espinosa,  tRe  governor  did  not  place  me 
under  your  command,  and  you  have  no  claim  to  my 
obedienc'  I  now  give  you  notice,  that  if  you  retain 
these  prisoners  so  cruelly  and  unjustly  captured,  you 
must  do  so  at  your  own  risk.  If  these  Indian  war- 
;iurs  choose  to  make  any  attem|>t  to  recover  their 
wives  and  their  children,  I  declare  to  you  upon 
my  solemn  oath,  and  by  all  that  I  hold  m'»st  sacred, 


'^ 


DE    SOTO. 


that  they  shall  meet  with  no  opposition  from  mc. 
Consider,  therefore,  whether  you  have  the  power 
to  defend  yourself  and  secure  your  prey,  when 
I  and  my  companions  have  withdrawn  from  this 
spot." 

Pizarro  does  not  seem  to  have  taken  any  active 
part  in  this  dispute,  though  he  advised  the  headstrong 
Espinosa  to  give  up  his  captives.  While  these  scenes 
were  transpiring,  about  one  hundred  of  the  men  of 
the  village  returned.  Most  earnestly  they  en- 
treated the  release  of  their  wives  and  children. 
If  not  peacefully  released,  it .  was  pretty  evident 
that  they  would  fight  desperately  for  their  res- 
cue. It  was  quite  apparent  that  the  Indian  runners 
had  gone  in  all  directions  to  suKnmon  others  to  their 
aid.  The  withdrawal  of  De  Soto  left  Espinosa  so 
weakened  that  he  could  hardly  hope  successfully  to 
repel  such  forces.  Indeed  he  was  so  situated  that, 
destitute  of  provisions,  and  ammunition,  he  did  not 
dare  to  undertake  a  march  bdck  through  the  wilder- 
ness to  Darien.  He  therefore  very  ungraciously 
consented  to  surrender  his  captives.       ^ 

Governor  Don  Pedro  had  established  his  httad- 
quarters  at  Panama.  De  Soto,  accompanied  by  a 
single  dragoon,  who  like  himself  was  an  admirable 
horseman,  rode  with  the  utmost  possible  dispatch  .  j 
Panama,  where  he  informed  the  governor  of  the  i''» 


of 


THE    SPANISH    COI.ONY, 


35 


asters  which  had  befallen  the  ttxpcdition,  and  of 
the  precarious  condition  in  wliicli  he  had  left  the 
remnant  of  the  troops.  He  also  rnadc  such  represen- 
tation of  the  military  cor^duct  of  General  Espinosa  as 
t:>  i'iduce  the  governor  to  remove  him  from  the  com- 
n\,  i  !  and  send  General  Herman  I 'once  to  take  his 
place.  The  garrison  at  Panai?ia  was  then  so  weak 
that  only  forty  men  could  be  H[)are<l  to  go  to  the  re- 
lief of  the  troops  at  Borrica. 

In  the  mean  time  the  Indian  cJjief  Uracca  had 
received  full  information  of  the  position  and  condition 
of  the  Spanish  troops.  Very  sagaeiously  he  formed, 
his  plan  to  cut  off  their  retreat.  Detachments  of 
warriors  wcrt,  placed  at  every  point  through  which 
they  could  .  s  :ape  ;  they  could  not  V(inture  a  league 
from  tl).  u  ".i.,!«?)rts  on  any  foraging  expedition,  and 
no  food  coiik'  reach  them.  They  obtained  a  misera- 
ble subsistenc-   ifom  roots  and  herbs,  '       - 

At  lengt'.i  De  Soto  returned  w'lh  a  fresh  supply 
of  ammunition  and  the  small  reinforcement.  By  the 
aid  of  his  cavalry  he  so  far  broke  u\)  the  blockade  as 
to  obtaiii  food  for  the  famishing  troops,  Still  it  was 
very  i :.  avdous  to  attempt  a  retreat  to  Panama. 
With  the  .  tinforcements  led  by  General  I'once,  their 
whole  army,  infantry  and  cavalry,  atnonntcd  to  less 
than  one  hundred  and  fifty  men.      They  would  be 


36 


DE    SOTO. 


compelled  on  their  retreat  to  climb  mountains,  plunge 
into  ragged  ravines,  thread  tropical  forests  and  nar- 
row defiles,  where  armies  of  uncounted  thousands  of 
natives  were  read}  ^)  dispute  their  passage. 


CHAPTER   III. 


Life  at  Darien. 


Reinforcements  from  Spain. — Aid  sent  to  Borrica. — Line  of  Defense 
Ciiosen  by  the  Natives. — Religion  of  the  Buccaneers. — The  Bat- 
tie  and  the  Rout. — Strategy  of  Uracca. — Cruelty  of  Don  Pedro. — 
The  Retreat. — Character  of  Uracca. — Embarrassment  of  Don 
I'cdro. — Warning  of  M.  Codro. — Expedition  of  Pizarro. — Mission 
of  M.  Codro. — Letter  of  De  Soto  to  Isabella. 

While  governor  Don  Pedro  was  awaiting  with  in- 
tense anxiety  the  receipt  of  intelligence  from  Bor- 
rica, a  ship  arrived  from  Spain  bringing  three  or 
four  hundred  adventurers,  all  of  whom  were  eager 
for  any  military  expedition  which  would  open  to  them 
an  opportunity  for  plunder.  One  hundred  and  fifty 
of  these  were  regular  soldiers,  well  taught  in  the 
dreadful  trade  of  war.  Don  Pedro  took  thesefresh 
troops  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  volunteers,  and  set 
out  with  the  utmost  expedition  for  Borrica.  His  im- 
petuous nature  was  inspired  with  zeal  to  retrieve  the 
disgrace  which  had  befallen  the  Spanish  arms.  He 
took  with  him  several  pieces  of  ordnance,  —  guns 
with  which  the  Indians  thus  far  had  no  acquaintance. 

Upon  arriving  at  Borrica  he  very  earnestly  har- 
angued his  troops,  reminding  them  of  the  ancient  re- 


38 


DE    SOTO. 


nown  of  the  Spanish  soldiers,  and  stimulating  their 
cupidity  by  the  assurance  that  the  kingdom  of  Ver- 
agua,  over  which  Uracca  reigned,  was  full  of  gold ; 
and  that  all  that  was  now  requisite  for  the  conquest 
of  the  country  and  the  accumulation  of  princely 
wealth,  was  a  display  of  the  bravery  ever  character- 
istic of  Spanish  troops. 

There  was  a  deep  and  rapid  river,  the  Arva,  rush- 
ing down  from  the  mountains,  which  it  was  necessary 
for  the  Spaniards  to  cross  in  their  renewed  invasion 
of  Veragua.  On  the  northern  banks  of  this  stream 
Uracca  stationed  his  troops,  selecting  this  spot  with 
much  skill  as  his  main  line  of  defence.  He  however 
posted  an  advanced  guard  some  miles  south  of  the 
stream  in  ground  broken  by  hills,  rocks  and  ravines, 
through  which  the  Spaniards  would  be  compelled  to 
pass,  and  where  their  cavalry  could  be  of  very  little 
avail. 

By  great  effort  Don  Pedro  had  collected  an 
army  of  about  five  hundred  men.  Rapidly  march- 
ing, he  soon  reached  the  spot  of  broken  ground 
where  the  native  troops  were  stationed  awaiting  their 
approach. 

It  seems  almost  incomprehensible  that  this  band 
of  thieves  and  murderers,  who,  without  the  slightest 
excuse  or  provocation,  were  invading  the  territory  of 
the  peaceful  natives,  carrying  to  their  homes  death 


LIFE    AT    DARIEN. 

and  woe,  that  they  might  acquire  fame  for  military 
exploits  and  return  laden  with  plunder,  could  have 
looked  to  C  xl  for  his  blessing  upon  their  infamous 
expedition.  But  so  it  was.  And  still  more  strange 
to  say,  they  did  iiot  apparently  engage  in  these  religi- 
ous services  with  any  consciousness  of  .hypocrisy. 
The  thoughtful  mind  is  bewildered  in  contemplating 
such  developments  of  the  human  heart.  Previous  to 
the  attack  the  whole  army  was  drawn  up  for  prayers, 
which  were  solemnly  offered  by  the  ecclesiastics  who 
always  accompanied  these  expeditions.  Then  every 
soldier  attended  the  confessional  and  received  abso- 
lution. Thus  he  felt  assured  that,  should  he  fall  in 
the  battle,  he  would  be  immediately  translated  to  the 
realms  of  the  blest. 

Thus  inspired  by  military  zeal  and  religious  fa- 
naticism, the  Spaniards  rushed  upon  the  natives  in  a 
very  impetuous  assault.  We  are  happy  to  record 
that  the  natives  stood  nobly  on  the  defence.  They 
met  their  assailants  with  such  a  shower  of  arrows 
and  javelins  that  the  Spaniards  were  first  arrested 
in  their  march,  then  driven  back,  then  utterly  routed 
and  put  to  flight.  In  that  broken  ground  where  the 
cavalry  could  not  be  brought  into  action,  where  every 
native  warrior  stood  behind  a  tree  or  a  rock,  and 
where  the  natives  did  not  commence  the  action  till 
the  Spaniards  were  within  half  bow  shot  of  them,  ar- 


40 


DE    SOTO. 


i 


rows  and  javelins  were  even  more  potent  weapons  of 
war  than  the  clumsy  muskets  then  in  use.  . 

Upon  the  open  field  the  arrows  of  the  natives 
were  quite  impotent.  A  bullet  could  strike  the  heart 
at  twice  or  three  times  the  distance  at  which  an  ar- 
row could  be  thrown.  The  Spaniards,  hotly  pursued, 
retreated  from  this  broken  ground  several  miles  back 
into  the  open  plain.  Many  were  slain.  Here  the 
rout  was  arrested  by  the  cavalry  and  the  discharges 
from  the  field-pieces,  which  broke  the  Indian  ranks. 

The  natives,  however,  boldly  held  their  ground, 
and  the  Spaniards,  disheartened  and  mortified  by  their 
discomfitUi  e,  encamped  upon  the  plain.  It  was  very 
evident  that  God  had  not  listened  to  their  prayers. 

For  several  days  they  remained  in  a  state  of  un- 
certainty. For  five  hundred  Spaniards  to  retreat  be- 
fore eight  hundred  natives,  would  inflict  a  stigma 
upon  their  army  which  could  never  be  effaced.  They 
dared  not  again  attack  the  natives  who  were  flushed 
with  victory  in  their  stronghold.  They  were  well 
aware  that  the  band  of  warriors  before  them  was  but 
the  advanced  guard  of  the  great  army  of  Uracca. 
These  eight  hundred  natives  were  led  by  one  of 
Uracca's  brothers.  Even  should  these  Indians  be 
attacked  and  repulsed,  they  had  only  to  retreat  a  few 
miles,  cross  the  river  Arva  in  their  canoes,  and  on 
the  northern  banks  join  the  formidable  army  of  twen- 


LIFE    AT    DARIEN. 


41 


ty  thousand  men  under  their  redoubtable  chief,  who 
had  already  displayed  military  abilities  which  com- 
pelled the  Spaniards  to  regard  him  with  dread. 

Affairs  were  in  this  position  when  Uracca  adopted 
a  stratagem  which  completely  deceived  the  Spaniards 
and  inflicted  upon  them  very  serious  loss.  He  caused 
several  of  his  warriors  to  be  taken  captive.  When 
closely  questioned  by  Don  Pedro  where  gold  was  to 
be  found,  and  threatened  with  torture  if  they  refused 
the  information,  they  with  great  apparent  reluctance 
directed  their  captors  to  a  spot,  at  the  distance  of  but 
a  few  leagues,  where  the  precious  metal  could  be  ob-- 
tained  in  great  abundance.  These  unlettered  sav- 
ages executed  their  artifice  with  skill  which  would 
have  done  honor  even  to  European  diplomatists. 

Don  Pedro  immediately  selected  a  company  of 
forty  of  his  most  reliable  men  and  sent  them  to  the 
designated  spot.  Here  they  were  surrounded  by  In- 
dian warriors  in  ambush,  and  the  whole  party,  with 
the  exception  of  three,  put  to  death.  The  three  who 
escaped  succeeded  in  reaching  the  Spanish  camp 
with  tidings  of  the  disaster.  Don  Pedro  in  his  rage 
ordered  his  captives  to  be  torn  to  pieces  by  the  blood- 
hounds. They  were  thrown  naked  to  the  dogs.  The 
Spaniards  looked  on  complacently,  as  the  merciless 
beasts,  with  bloody  fangs,  tore  them  limb  from  limb, 
devouring  their  quivering  flesh.      The  natives  bore 


42 


DE    SOTO. 


this  awful  punishment  with  fortitude  and  heroism, 
which  elicited  the  admiration  of  their  foes.  With 
their  last  breath  they  exulted  that  they  were  permit- 
ted to  die  in  defence  of  their  country. 

The  expedition  of  Don  Pedro  had  thus  far  proved 
ar  utter  failure.  He  had  already  lost  one-fourth  of 
his  army  through  the  prowess  of  the  natives.  The 
prospect  before  him  was  dark  in  the  extreme.  His 
troops  were  thoroughly  discouraged,  and  the  difficul- 
ties still  to  be  encountered  seemed  absolutely  insur- 
mountable. Humiliated  as  never  before,  the  proud 
Don  Pedro  was  compelled  to  order  a  retreat  -He 
returned  to  Panama,  where,  as  we  have  mentioned, 
he  had  removed  his  seat  of  government  from  Darien. 
Panama  was  north  of  Darien,  or  rather  west,  as  the 
isthmus  there  runs  east  and  west.  Its  seaport  was 
on  the  Pacific,  not  the  Atlantic  coast.    - 

Uracca,  having  thus  rescued  his  country  from  the 
invaders,  did  not  pursue  the  retreating  Spaniards. 
He  probably  in  this  course  acted  wisely.  Could  Don 
Pedro  have  drawn  his  enemies  into  the  open  fielc\  he 
could  undoubtedly  have  cut  down  nearly  their  whole 
army  with  grape  shot,  musketry,  and  charges  by  his 
strongly  mounted  steel-clad  cavaliers.  A  panic  had 
however  pervaded  the  Spanish  camp.  They  were  in 
constant  apprehension  of  pursuit.  Even  when  they 
had  reached  Panama,  they  were  day  after  day  in  in- 


LIFE   AT   DARIEN. 


43 


tense  apprehension  of  the  approach  of  their  outnum- 
bering foes,  by  whose  valor  they  had  already  been 
discomfited,  and  so  greatly  disgraced. 

"When  the  Spaniards  looked  out  towards  the 
mountains  and  the  plains,"  writes  the  Spanish  histo- 
rian Herrera,  "  the  boughs  of  trees  and  the  very  grass, 
which  grew  high  in  the  savannas,  appeared  to  their 
excited  imagination  to  be  armed  with  Indians.  And 
when  they  turned  their  eyes  towards  the  sea,  they 
fancied  that  it  was  covered  with  canoes  of  their  ex- 
asperated foemen." 

Uracca  must  have  been  in  all  respects  an  extra- 
ordinary man.  We  have  the  record  of  his  deeds 
only  from  the  pen  of  his  enemies.  And  yet  accord- 
ing to  their  testimony,  he,  a  pagan,  manifested  far 
more  of  the  spirit  of  Christ  than  did  his  Christian 
opponents.  In  the  war  which  he  was  then  waging, 
there  can  be  no  question  whatever  that  the  wrong 
was  inexcusably  and  outrageously  on  the  side  of  Don 
Pedro.  We  cannot  learn  that  Uracca  engaged  in 
any  aggressive  movements  against  the  Spaniards 
whatever.  He  remained  content  with  expelling  the 
merciless  intruders  from  his  country.  Even  the  fiend- 
like barbarism  of  the  Spaniards  could  not  provoke 
him  to  retaliatory  cruelty.  The  brutal  soldiery  of 
Spain  paid  no  respect  whatever  to  the  wives  and 
daughters  of  the  natives,  even  to  those  of  the  high- 
est chieftains. 


44 


DE  sure). 


On  one  occasion  a  Spanish  lady,  Donna  Clara 
Albitcz,  fell  into  the  hands  of  Uracca.  He  treated 
her  with  as  much  delicacy  and  tenderness  as  if  she 
had  been  his  own  daughter  or  mother,  and  availed 
himself  of  the  first  opportunity  of  restoring  her  to 
her  friends. 

Though  De  Soto  was  one  of  the  bravest  of  his  cav- 
aliers, and  was  so  skilful  as  an  officer  that  his  services 
were  almost  indispensable  to  Don  Pedro,  yet  the  gov- 
ernor was  anxious  to  get  rid  of  him.  It  is  probable 
that  he  felt  somewhat  condemned  by  the  undeniable 
virtues  of  De  Soto  ;  for  the  most  of  men  can  feel  the 
power  of  high  moral  principle  as  witnessed  in  others. 
De  Soto,  intensely  proud,  was  not  at  all  disposed  to 
play  the  sycophant  before  his  patron.  He  had  al- 
ready exasperated  him  by  his  refusal  to  execute  or- 
ders which  he  deemed  dishonorable.  And  worst  of 
all,  by  winning  the  love  of  Isabella,  he  had  thwarted 
one  of  the  most  ambitious  of  Don  Pedro's  plans  ;  he 
having  contemplated  her  alliance  with  one  of  the 
most  illustrious  families  of  the  Spanish  nobility. 
'  Don  Pedro  did  not  dare  to  send  De  Soto  to  the 
scaffold  or  to  order  him  to  be  shot.  He  had  already 
braved  public  opinion  by  the  outrageous  execution  of 
Vasco  Nunez,  without  a  shadow  of  law  or  justice, 
and  had  drawn  down  upon  himself  an  avalanche  of 
condemnation  from  the  highest  dignitaries  of  both 


LIFE    AT    DARIEN. 


45 


church  and  state.  He  was  trembling  through  fear 
that  the  Spanish  government  might  call  him  to  ac- 
count for  this  tyrannic  act.  Thus  situated,  it  was 
highly  impolitic  to  send  Dc  Soto,  who  was  greatly 
revered  and  admired  by  the  army,  to  the  block.  He 
therefore  still  sought,  though  with  somewhat  waning 
zeal,  to  secure  the  death  of  De  Soto  on  the  field  of 
battle.  De  Soto  could  not  fail  to  perceive  that  Don 
^  -o  was  not  his  friend.  Still,  being  a  magnanimous 
ii..  ..  nimself,  he  could  not  suspect  the  governor  of 
being  guilty  of  such  treachery  as  to  be  plotting  his 
death. 

When  the  little  army  of  Spaniards  was  beleaguered 
at  Borrica,  and  De  Soto  with  his  cavalry  was  scour- 
ing the  adjacent  country  on  foraging  expeditions,  he 
chanced  to  rescue  from  captivity  M.  Codro,  an  Ital- 
ian philosopher,  who  had  accompanied  the  Spaniards 
to  Darien.  In  the  pursuit  of  science,  he  had  joined 
the  fc  ty  men  who,  under  the  command  of  Herman 
Ponce,  had  been  sent  as  a  reinforcement  to  Borrica. 
While  at  some  distance  from  the  camp  on  a  botanical 
excursion,  he  was  taken  captive  by  the  natives,  and 
would  have  been  put  to  death  but  for  the  timely  res- 
cue by  De  Soto. 

M.  Codro  was  an  astrologer.  In  that  supersti- 
tious age  he  was  supposed  by  others,  and  probably 
himself  supposed,  that  by  certain  occult  arts  he  was 


46 


DE    SOTO. 


able  to  predict  future  events.  Six  months  after  the 
return  of  the  Spaniards  from  their  disastrous  expe- 
dition against  Uracca,  this  singular  man  sought  an 
interview  with  De  Soto,  and  said  to  him ; 

"  A  good  action  deserves  better  reward  than  ver- 
bal acknowledgment.  While  it  was  not  in  my  power 
to  make  any  suitable  recompense  to  you  for  saving 
my  life,  I  did  not  attempt  to  offer  you  any.  But  the 
time  has  now  come  when  I  can  give  you  some  sub- 
stantial evidence  of  my  gratitude,  I  can  now  inform 
you  that  your  life  is  now  in  no  less  danger  than  mine 
was  when  you  rescued  me  from  the  Indians." 

De  Soto  replied  :  "  My  good  friend,  though  I  do 
not  profess  to  be  a  thorough  believer  in  your  pro- 
phetic art,  I  am  no  less  thankful  for  your  kuid  inten- 
tions. And  in  this  case,  T  am  free  to  confess  that 
you*"  iiiformation,  from  whatever  source  derived,  is 
confirmed  in  a  measure  by  my  own  observations." 

"Ferdinand  De  Soto,"  said  the  astrologer  with 
great  deliberation  and  solemnity  of  manner,  "  I  think 
I  can  read  the  page  of  your  destiny,  even  without 
such  light  as  the  stars  can  shed  upon  it.  Be  assured 
that  the  warning  I  give  you  does  not  come  from  an 
unearthly  source.  But  if  any  supernatural  confirma- 
tion of  my  words  were  needed,  even  on  that  score 
you  might  be  satisfied.  While  comparing  your  horo- 
scope with  that  of  my  departed  friend  Vasco  Nunez, 


LIFE    AT    DARIExV. 


47 


1  have  observed  some  resemblances  in  your  lives  and 
fortunes,  which  you,  with  all  your  incredulity,  must 
allow  to  be  remarkable.  Nunez  and  you  were  both 
born  in  the  same  town  ;  were  both  members  of  noble 
but  impoverished  families  ;  both  sough;  i<»  ally  your- 
selves with  the  family  of  Don  Pedro,  and  both  thus 
incurred  his  deadly  resentment." 

"These  coincidences  are  certainly  remarkable," 
replied  De  Soto ;  "  but  what  other  similarities  do  you 
fmd  in  the  destinies  of  Nunez  and  myj^elf?" 

"  You  are  a  brave  man,"  replied  M,  Codrc),  "  and 
you  are  too  skeptical  <^o  be  much  disturbed  by  the 
prognostications  of  evil.  I  may  therefore  venture  to 
tell  you  that  according  to  my  calculationn,  you  will  be 
in  one  important  event  of  youi  life  more  happy  than 
Vasco  Nufiez.  It  seems  to  be  indicated  by  the  su- 
perior intelligences,  that  your  death  will  not  be  in  the 
ordinary  course  of  nature ;  but  I  find  likewise  that 
the  term  of  your  life  will  be  equal  to  that  which  Nu- 
nez attained.  When  I  consider  your  present  ciicu  n- 
slances,  this  appears  to  me  to  be  the  mo«t  improba- 
ble part  of  the  prediction." 

Nufiez  was  forty-two  years  old  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  This  gave  De  Soto  the  promi!*c  of  nearly 
twenty  years  more  of  life.  Reverently  he  replied,  "  I 
am  in  the  hands  of  God.  I  rely  with  humble  confi- 
dence on  his  protection." 


48 


DE    SOTO. 


"  In  that  you  do  well,"  rejoined  M.  Codro,  "  Still 
it  is  your  duty  to  use  such  human  means  as  may  be 
required  to  defend  yourself  against  open  violence  or 
fraudful  malice." 

De  Soto  thanked  the  astrologer  for  the  caution  he 
had  given  him,  and  as  he  reflected  upon  it,  saw  that 
it  was  indeed  necessary  to  be  constantly  on  his  j;uard. 
As  time  passed  on  Don  Pedro  became  more  undi.s- 
guised  in  his  hostility  to  De  Soto.  Ferdinand  and 
Isabella  exerted  all  their  ingenuity  to  correspond 
with  each  other.  Don  Pedro  had  been  equally  vigi- 
lant in  his  endeavors  to  intercept  their  letlern ;  and 
so  effectual  were  the  plans  which  he  adopted,  that 
for  five  years,  while  the  lovers  remained  perfectly 
faithful  to  each  other,  not  a  token  of  remembrance 
passed  between  them. 

These  were  weary  years  to  De  Soto,  Tie  was 
bitterly  disappointed  in  all  his  expectations.  There 
was  no  glory  to  be  obtained  even  in  victory,  in  riding 
rough-shod  over  the  poor  natives.  And  thus  far,  in- 
stead of  victory  attending  the  Spanish  arms,  defeat 
and  disgrace  had  been  their  doom.  Moreover,  he  was 
astonished  and  heartily  ashamed  when  he  saw  the 
measures  which  his  countrymen  had  adopted  to  en- 
rich themselves.  They  were  highway  robbers  of  the 
most  malignant  type.  They  not  only  slaughtered  the 
victims  whom  they  robbed,  but  fired  their  dwelling,*}, 


LIFE   AT    DAKIKN. 


49 


trampled  down  their  harvests  anrl  massacred  their 
wives  and  children. 

The  most  extravagant  tales  had  been  circulated 
through  Europe  respecting  the  wealth  of  the  New 
World.  It  was  said  that  niasKen  of  pure  gold  could 
be  gathered  like  pebble  stones  from  the  banks  of  the 
rivers,  and  that  gems  of  priceless  value  were  to  be 
found  in  the  ravines.  De  Soto  had  been  now  five 
years  on  the  isthmus  of  Darien,  and  hud  acquired 
neither  fame  nor  fortune,  and  there  waH  nothing  in 
the  prospect  of  the  future  to  excite  enthusiasm  or 
even  hope. 

There  was  quite  a  remarkable  man,  made  so  by 
subsequent  events,  under  the  comniand  f)f  Don  Pe- 
dro. His  name  was  Francisco  l*i/arro.  lie  was  a 
man  of  obscure  birth  and  of  very  limited  education, 
save  only  in  the  material  art  of  war.  i  le  could  neither 
read  nor  write,  and  was  thus  intellectually  hardly  the 
equal  of  some  of  the  mo,st  intelligent  of  the  natives. 
We  have  briefly  alluded  to  him  as  entrusted  with  the 
command  of  one  portion  of  the  army  in  the  inglori- 
ous expedition  against  Uracca.  De  Soto  had  very 
little  respect  for  the  man,  and  was  not  at  all  disposed 
as  a  subordinate  officer  to  look  to  him  for  counsel. 
Don  Pedro,  however,  seems  to  have  formed  a  high 
opinion  of  the  military  abilities  of  Pi/arro,  For  not- 
withstanding his  ignominious  defeat  and  retreat  from 


50 


DE    SOTO. 


Veragua,  he  now  appointed  him  as  the  leader  of  an 
expedition,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  men, 
to  explore  the  western  coast  of  the  isthmus  by  cruis- 
ing along  the  Pacific  Ocean, 

Pizarro  set  sail  from  Panama  on  the  fourteenth  of 
November,  1524,  in  one  small  vessel.  It  was  intend- 
ed that  another  vessel  should  soon  follow  to  render 
such  assistance  as  might  be  necessary.  De  Soto  was 
urged  to  become  one  of  this  party ;  but  probably 
from  dislike  of  Pizarro,  refused  to  place  himself  under 
his  command.*" 

The  vessel,  which  was  soon  joined  by  its  consort 
under  Alrnagro,  coasted  slowly  along  in  a  northerly 
direction,  running  in  at  every  bay,  and  landing  when- 
ever they  approached  a  flourishing  Indian  village, 
plundering  the  natives  and  maltreating  them  in  every 
shameful  way.  At  length  they  aroused  such  a  spirit 
of  desperation  on  the  part  of  the  natives,  that  they 
fell  upon  the  buccaneers  .with  resistless  ferocity. 
Two-thirds  of  the  miscreants  were  slain.  Pizarro 
barely  escaped  with  his  life,  having  received  severe 
wounds  and  being  borne  to  his  ship  in  a  state  of  in- 
sensibility. 

While  Pizarro  was  absent  on  this  ill-fated  expe- 
dition, a  new  trouble  befell  Don  Pedro.  Las  Casas, 
a  devoted  Christian  missionary,  whose  indignation 
was  roused  to  the  highest  pitch  by  the  atrocities  per- 


LIFE   AT   DARIEN. 


petratcd  upon  the  Indians,  reported  the  inhuman 
conduct  of  Don  Pedro  to  the  Spanish  government. 
The  King  appointed  Peter  de  Los  Rios  to  succeed 
him.  The  new  governor  was  to  proceed  immediately 
to  Panama  and  bring  the  degraded  official  to  trial, 
and,  if  found  guilty,  to  punishment.  The  governor  of 
a  Spanish  colony  in  those  days  was  absolute.  Don 
Pedro  had  cut  off  the  head  of  his  predecessor,  though 
that  predecessor  was  one  of  the  best  of  men.  He 
now  trembled  in  apprehension  of  the  loss  of  his  own 
head.  Conscious  of  his  deserts,  he  was  terror- 
stricken. 

About  four  or  five  hundred  miles  north  of  Pana- 
ma there  was  the  magnificent  province  of  Nicaragua. 
The  isthmus  is  here  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  in  breadth,  nnd  the  province  being  about  two 
hundred  miles  in  a  line  from,  north  to  south,  extended 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  shores.  Don  Pedro 
was  popular  with  his  brutal  soldiery,  since  he  allowed* 
them  unlimited  license  and  plunder.  He  resolved, 
surrounded  by  them,  to  take  refuge  in  Nicaragua. 
Nevertheless,  to  render  himself  as  secure  as  possible, 
he  decided  to  send  an  agent  to  plecid  his  cause  at  the 
Spanish  court.  -  ^ 

Among  those  rude,  unprincipled  adventurers,  men 
of  violence  and  blood,  it  was  very  difficult  to  find  a 
suitable  person.     At  length  he  fixed  with  much  hesi- 


DE   SOTO. 


tation  upon  M.  Codro,  the  astrologer.  He  was  a 
simple-minded,  good  man ;  learned,  though  very  art- 
less. M.  Codro  was  strongly  attached  to  De  Soto, 
the  preserver  of  his  life.  As  we  have  seen,  he  was 
well  aware  of  the  peril  to  which  his  benefactor  was 
hourly  exposed  from  the  malignity  of  the  governor. 
Gladly  therefore  he  accepted  the  mission,  as  he 
hoped  it  would  afford  him  an  opportunity  of  confer- 
ring some  favor  upon  his  imperilled  friend. 

Don  Pedro  had  adopted  the  most  rigorous  m-eas- 
ures  to  prevent  any  communication  between  the  col- 
ony and  Spain,  which  was  not  subjected  to  his  inspec- 
tion. He  was  mainly  influenced  to  this  course  that 
he  might  prevent  the  interchange  of  any  messages 
whatever  between  De  Soto  and  Isabella.  The  most 
severe  penalties  were  denounced  against  all  persons 
who  should  convey  any  writing  across  the  seas,  ex- 
cepting through  the  regular  mails.  But  the  gi'ateful 
M.  Codro  declared  himself  ready  to  run  all  risks  in 
carrying  a  letter  from  De  Soto  to  Isabella.  Though 
De  Soto  at  first  hesitated  to  expose  his  friend  to 
such  hazard,  his  intense  desire  to  open  some  commu- 
nication with  Isabella,  at  length  induced  him  to  ac- 
cept the  generous  offer. 

As  we  have  mentioned,  for  five  years  not  one 
word  had  passed  between  the  lovers.  It  is  said  that 
the  following  is  a  literal  translation  of  the  letter  which 


IJFE   AT   DARIEN. 


53 


De  Soto  wrote.  We  cannot  be  certain  of  its  authen- 
ticity, but  it  bears  internal  evidence  of  genuineness, 
and  a  manuscript  copy  is  in  the  library  of  a  Spanish 
gentleman  who  has  spent  his  life  in  collecting  docu- 
ments in  reference  to  the  past  history  of  his  country  ? 

"  Most  Dearly  Beloved  Isabei  ^  a  : 

"  For  the  first  time  within  five  years,  I  write  to 
you  with  some  assurance  that  you  will  receive  my  let- 
ter. Many  times  have  I  written  before ;  but  how 
could  I  write  freely  when  I  had  reason  to  fear  that 
other  eyes  might  peruse  those  fond  expressions  which 
your  goodness  and  condescension  alone  cOuld  par- 
don }  But  what  reason  have  I  to  hope  that  you  can 
still  look  with  iavorable  regard  on  my  unworthiness  ? 
My  mature  judgment  teaches  me  that  this  dream  of 
my  youth,  which  I  have  so  long  cherished,  is  not  pre- 
sumption merely,  but  madness. 

"  When  I  consider  your  many  perfections,  and 
compare  them  with  my  own  little  deserving,  I  feel 
that  I  ought  to  despair,  even  if  I  could  emiVy  into 
your  lap  the  treasure  of  a  thousand  kingdom^.  How 
then  can  I  lift  my  eyes  to  you  when  I  have  nothing 
to  offer  but  the  tribute  of  an  affection  which  time 
cannot  change,  and  which  must  still  live  when  my 
last  hope  has  departed. 

"  O  Isabella  1  the  expectation  which  brought  me 


54 


DE    SOTO, 


to  this  land  has  not  been  fulfilled.  I  can  gather  no 
gold,  except  by  such  means  as  my  honor,  my  con- 
science and  yourself  must  condemn.  Though  your 
nobleness  may  pity  one  on  whom  fortune  has  disdain- 
ed to  smile,  I  feel  that  your  relations  are  justified  in 
claiming  for  you  an  alliance  with  exalted  rank  and 
affluence  ;  and  I  love  you  far  too  well  to  regard  my 
own  happiness  more  than  your  welfare.  If,  therefore, 
in  your  extreme  youth  you  have  made  a  promise 
which  you  now  regret,  as  far  as  it  is  in  my  power  to 
absolve  you  from  that  engagement,  you  are  released. 
On  my  side,  the  obligation  is  sacred  and  eternal.  It 
is  not  likely  that  I  shall  ever  return  to  my  country. 
While  I  am  banished  from  your  presence,  all  countries 
are  alike  to  me. 

"  The  person  who  brings  you  this  exposes  him- 
self to  great  daijger  in  his  desire  to  serve  me.  I  en- 
treat you  to  use  such  precautions  as  his  safety  may 
require.  If  your  goodness  should  vouchsafe  any 
message  to  me,  he  will  deliver  it,  and  you  may  hr.ve 
perfect  confidence  in  his  fidelity.  Pardon  my  bold- 
ness in  sv:pposing  it  possible  that  I  still  have  a  place 
in  your  remembrance.  Though  you  may  now  think 
of  me  with  indifference  or  dislike,  do  not  censure  me 
too  severely  for  calling  myself  unchangeably  and  de- 
votedly, Yours,  •  De  Soto." 


^ 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Demojiiac    Reign. 

Giles  Gonzales. — Unsuccessful  Contest  of  De  Soto  with  Gonzales. — 
Bold  Reply  of  De  Soto  to  the  Governor. — Cruelty  of  Don  Pedro 
to  M.  Codro. — Assassination  of  Cordova. — New  Expedition  of 
Discovery. — Revenge  upon  Valenzuela. — Reign  of  Don  Pedro  at 
Nicaragua. — Unwise  Decision  of  De  Soto. 


It  was  supposed  at  that  time  that  there  must  be 
a  strait  somewhere  north  of  Panama  across  the  nar- 
row isthmus,  which  would  connect  the  waters  of  the 
Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans.  Several  expeditions  had 
been  fitted  out  in  search  of  this  all-important  passage. 
Almost  invariably  a  company  of  priests  joined  these 
expeditions,  who  exerted  all  their  energies  to  convert 
the  Indians  to  nominal  Christianity.  A  fanatic  ad- 
venturer by  the  name  of  Giles  Gonzales,  acquired 
much  celebrity  for  his  success  in  inducing  the  na- 
tives to  accept  the  Christian  faith  and  to  acknowledge 
fealty  to  the  king  of  Spain.  He  was  at  the  head  of 
one  hundred  steel-clad  warriors.  His  mode  of  per- 
suasion, though  unique,  was  very  potent.  When  he 
approached  the  seat  of  the  chief  of  Nicaragua,  he 
sent  a  courier  to  him  with  the  following  message  : 


56 


DE    SOTO. 


"  I  am  coming  as  a  friend  to  teach  you  the  only 
true  religion,  and  to  persuade  you  to  recognize  the 
most  powerful  monarch  oh  the  globe.  If  you  refuse 
to  yield  to  my  teachings,  you  must  prepare  for  battle, 
and  I  challenge  you  to  meet  me  in  the  field." 

The  gentle  and  peace-loving  natives  contempla- 
ted with  consternation  these  fierce  Spaniards  mount- 
ed on  powerful  war  horses,  animals  which  they  had 
never  before  seen,  and  glittering  in  coats  of  mail. 
They  had  no  religious  creed  to  which  they  adhered 
with  any  tenacity.  The  Nicaraguan  chief  unhesi- 
tatingly expressed  his  readiness  to  accept  the  new 
faith,  and  in  token  of  friendship,  sent  Gonzales  a 
quantity  of  gold,  equal  it  is  said  in  value  to  seventy- 
five  thousand  dollars  of  our  money.  The  Spanish 
historian  Herrera,  whose  record  is  generally  deemed 
in  the  main  accurate,  says  that  the  chief,  his  family, 
and  nine  thousand  of  his  subjects,  were  baptized  and 
became  Christians.  Influenced  by  this  example,  and 
by  the  glowing  representations  of  the  rewards  which 
were  sure  to  follow  the  acceptance  of  the  Christian 
faith,  more  than  thirty-six  thousand  of  the  natives 
were  baptized  within  the  space  of  half  a  year.  The 
baptismal  fees  charged  by  Gonzales  amounted  to  over 
four  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

While  Gonzales  was  engaged  on  his  own  respon- 
sibility in  this  career  of  spiritual  conquest,  with  its 


DEMONIAC    REIGN. 


57 


rich  pecuniary  accompaniment,  Don  Pedro  sent  two 
of  his  generals,  Ferdinand  de  Cordova  and  Ferdi- 
nand De  Soto,  to  explore  Nicaragua  and  take  pos- 
session of  it  in  his  name.  He  assumed  that  Gonzales, 
acting  without  authority,  was  engaged  in  a  treasona- 
ble movement.  The  two  parties  soon  came  into  col- 
lision. 

De  Soto,  with  a  party  of  fifty  men,  twenty  of 
them  being  well  mounted  "cavaliers,  encamped  at  a 
small  village  called  Torebo.  Gonzales  was  in  the 
near  vicinity  with  a  little  army  of  three  hundred  men, 
two  hundred  of  whom  were  Indians.  In  the  darkness 
of  the  night,  Gonzales  fell  upon  De  Soto,  and  out- 
numbering him  six  to  one,  cither  killed  or  took  cap- 
tive all  the  thirty  footmen  ;  while  the  cavaliers,  on  their 
horses,  cut  their  way  through  and  escaped.  Gon- 
zales lost  fifty  of  his  best  men  in  the  conflict,  and 
was  so  impressed  with  the  military  vigor  of  De  Soto, 
that  he  was  not  at  all  disposed  again  to  meet  him  on 
the  field  of  battle.  He  therefore  retired  to  a  distant 
part  of  the  province,  where  he  vigorously  engaged  in 
the  work  of  converting  the  natives,  never  forgetting 
his  baptismal  fee. 

De  Soto  and  Cordova,  established  themselves  in 
a  new  town  which  they  called  Grenada.  Here  they 
erected  a  church,  several  dwelling  houses,  and  bar- 
racks for  the  soldiers.     They  also  surrounded  the  vil- 


58 


DE    SOTO. 


lage  with  a  trench  and  earthworks,  as  protection  from 
any  sudden  assault.  Gonzales  was  a  fugitive  from 
justice,  having  assassinated  an  officer  sent  by  Her- 
nando Cortes  to  arrest  him. 

Cordova  was  a  mild  and  humane  man.  Under 
his  sway  the  Indians  were  prosperous  and  happy. 
Two  flourishing  towns  grew  up  rapidly  quite  near 
each  other,  Leon  and  Grenada.  The  climate  was 
delightful,  the  soil  fertile,*the  means  of  living  abun- 
dant. Many  of  the  inhabitants  of  Panama  emigrated 
to  this  more  favored  region. 

De  Soto,  leaving  Cordova  in  command  of  Nicara- 
gua, returned  to  Panama  to  report  proceedings  to 
Don  Pedro.  It  was  not  till  then  that  he  learned,  to 
his  extreme  regret,  that  the  Governor  had  selected 
Nicaragua  as  a  place  for  his  future  abode.  He  knew 
that  the  presence  of  the  tyrannical  governor  could 
only  prove  disastrous  to  the  flourishing  colony,  and 
ruinous  to  the  happiness  of  the  natives.  The  gloom 
with  which  the  contemplation  oppressed  his  mind 
spread  over  his  speaking  countenance.  The  eagle 
eye  of  the  suspicious  governor  immediately  detected 
these  indications  of  discontent.  With  an  air  of  defer- 
ence, but  in  a  tone  of  mockery,  he  said : 

"I  judge  from  your  appearance,  captain,  that  my 
Nicaraguan  enterprise  does  not  meet  with  your  cor- 
dial approbation." 


DEMONIAC    KEIGN. 


59 


De  Soto  boldly,  and  with  great  deliberation  of 
words,  replied : 

"  Governor  Don  Pedro,  I  confess  that  I  feel  but 
little  int.  ested  in  any  of  your  movements  or  inten- 
tions, except  when  they  encroach  upon  the  rights  of 
others.  Nicaragua  is  at  this  time  well  governed  by 
Ferdinand  de  Cordova.  The  change  you  propose  to 
make,  is  to  be  deprecated  as  one  of  the  greatest  mis- 
fortunes that  could  befall  not  only  the  Indian  inhabi- 
tants of  thai  district,  but  our  own  countrymen  like- 
wise, who  have  flocked  thither  to  escape  from  your 
jurisdiction." 

The  countenance  of  Don  Pedro  became  pallid 
with  rage.  Struggling,  however,  to  suppress  the  un- 
availing outburst  of  his  passion,  he  said,  with  a  ma- 
lignant smile :  "" 

"  I  thank  you,  Captain  De  Soto,  for  giving  me  this 
opportunity  which  I  have  so  long  desired.  Were  I 
to  permit  such  insolence  to  ^o  unpunished,  my  au- 
thority in  this  colony  would  soon  be  at  an  end." 

"  It  is  at  an  end,"  replied  De  Soto.  "  You  must 
be  aware  that  your  successor,  De  Los  Rios,  is  now 
on  his  way  to  Panama." 

"  I  do  not  choose,"  replied  Don  Pedro,  "  to  debate 
this  matter  with  you.  I  still  claim  the  right  to  com- 
mand you  as  your  superior  military  officer.  I  now 
command  you  to  hold  yourself  and  your  company  in 


6o 


DE    SOTO. 


readiness  to  march.  When  we  arrive  at  Leon,  I 
promise  you  that  full  justice  shall  be  done  to  your 
friend  De  Cordova,  and  to  yourself." 

De  Soto  fully  comprehended  the  significance  of 
these  threats.  He  wrote  immediately  to  Cordova, 
urging  him  to  be  on  his  guard.  The  inhabitants  of 
Leon  and  Grenada,  learning  of  the  intention  of  Don 
Pedro, — to  take  the  government  into  his  own  hands, 
— entreated  De  Cordova  to  resist  the  tyrant,  promis- 
ing him  their  unanimous  and  energetic  support.  But 
De  Cordova  declined  these  overtures,  saying,  that  all 
the  authority  to  which  he  was  legitimately  entitled 
was  derived  from  Don  Pedro,  and  that  it  was  his 
duty  CO  obey  him  as  his  superior  officer,  until  he 
should  be  deposed  by  the  Spanish  crown. 

Just  before  Don  Pedro,  with  his  suite,  left  Panama 
for  Nicaragua,  M.  Codro  returned  from  Spain.  Me 
brought  dispatches  to  the  governor,  and  also  secret- 
ly a  letter  from  Isabella  to  De  Soto.  The  spies  of 
the  governor,  in  his  castle  in  Spain,  watched  every 
movement  of  M.  Codro.  The  simple  minded  man 
had  very  little  skill  in  the  arts  of  duplicity.  These 
spies  reported  to  Don  I'edro  that  M.  Codro  had 
held  a  secret  interview  with  Isabella,  and  had  frank- 
ly stated  that  he  was  entrusted  with  a  private  mes- 
sage to  her.  Don  Pedro  knew  that  such  a  mes- 
sage could  have  gone  only  a  im  De  Soto  ;  and  that 


DEMONIAC    REIGN. 


01 


unquestionably  M.  Codro  had  brought  bnck  from  his 
daughter  a  response.  We  may  remark  in  passing, 
that  the  letter  from  Isabella  to  De  Soto  informed 
him  of  the  inflexible  fidelity  of  Isabella,  and  filled  the 
heart  of  De  Sot/3  with  joy. 

The  malignant  nature  of  Don  Pc<lro  was  roused 
by  these  saspicions  to  intensity  of  action,  and  he  re- 
solved upon  direful  revenge.  As  Ihc  new  governor 
was  hourly  expected,  be  could  not  venture  upon  ary 
open  act  of  assassination  or  violence,  for  he  knew 
that  in  that  case  summary  punishment  would  be  his 
doom.  Calling  M.  Codro  before  him,  he  assumed 
his  blandest  smile,  thanked  the  artlenn  philosopher 
for  the  services  he  had  rendered  him  in  Spain,  and 
s;iid  that  he  wished  to  entrust  him  with  the  manage- 
ment of  a  mineralogical  survey  of  a  region  near  the 
gulf  of  San  Miguel. 

The  good  man  was  delighted.  This  wa«  just  ihe 
employment  which  his  nature  craved,  J  fc  was  di- 
rected to  embark  in  a  vessel  commanded  by  one  of 
tlie  governor's  tools,  an  infamous  wretch  by  the 
name  of  De  Valenzuela.  This  man  had  been  for 
many  years  a  private,  and  was  then  engaged  in  kid- 
napping Indians  for  the  slave  trade,  Jfe  was  order- 
ed as  soon  as  the  vessel  was  at  sea,  to  chain  M. 
Codro  to  the  foremast,  to  expose  him  to  all  the  tor- 
tures of  the  blaze  of  a  tropical  sun  by  day  and  chil- 


62 


DE    SOTO. 


ling  dews  by  night.  The  crew  were  enjoined  to  as- 
sail  him  with  insulting  mockery.  Thus  expoHcd  to 
hunger,  burning  heat,  and  incessant  abuse,  he  was 
to  be  kept  through  these  lingering  agonies  until  he 
died.  , 

For  ten  days  the  good  man  bore  this  cruel 
martyrdom,  when  he  breathed  his  last,  anrl  was 
buried  on  a  small  island  about  a  hundred  miles 
southwest  of  Panama.  This  brutal  assassination  was 
so  conducted,  that  De  Soto  at  the  time  had  no 
knowledge  of  the  tragedy  which  was  being  enacted. 

Early  in  the  year  1526,  Don  Pedro,  surrmmded 
by  a  large  retinue  of  his  obedient  soldiery,  left  I'ana- 
ma  to  assume  the  government  of  Nicaragua,  to  v/fiich 
he  had  no  legitimate  title.  De  Soto  accompanied 
the  governor.  Much  as  he  detested  his  character, 
he  could  not  forget  that  he  was  the  father  of  Isa- 
bella. When  Don  Pedro  approached  the  little  town 
of  Leon,  he  sent  a  courier  before  him,  to  order  De 
Cordova  to  meet  him  in  the  public  square,  v/ith  his 
municipal  officers  and  his  clergy,  prepared  to  give 
an  account  of  his  administration. 

De  Soto  with  his  horsemen  was  ordered  to  f(jrm 
in  line  on  one  side  of  the  square.  The  foot  soldiers 
of  Don  Pedro  surrounded  the  governor  on  the  other 
side.  All  the  vacant  space  was  filled  with  citizens 
and  natives.     By  the  side  of  the  governor  stood  his 


DEMONIAC    KIUGN. 


63 


executioner ;  a  man  of  gigantic  Htatiirc  and  of  hercu- 
lean strength,  whose  massive  Mwrjnl  few  arms  but  his 
could  wield.  De  Cordova  advanced  to  meet  Don  Pe- 
dro, and  bowing  respectfully  before  him,  commenced 
giving  an  account  of  the  state  of  affairs  in  the  prov- 
ince. Suddenly  he  was  interrupted  in  his  narrative 
by  Don  Pedro,  who  with  forced  anger  exclaimed  : 

"  Silence,  you  hypocrite  !  Vour  treasonable  pro- 
jects cannot  be  hidden  und^r  llu'se  absurd  preten- 
sions of  loyalty  and  patriotism  ;  1  will  now  let  your 
accomplices  see  how  a  traitor  Hlir)iil<l  l>e  punished." 

He  made  a  sign  to  his  executioner,  Mis  gleam- 
ing sword  flashed  through  tl»e  air,  and  in  an  instant 
the  dissevered  head  of  Cordova  rolled  in  the  dust. 
The  headsman  grasped  the  gory  trophy  by  the  hair, 
and  raising  it  high  above  his  head  exclaimed, 

"  Behold  the  doom  of  a  traitor*' 


All  this  took  place  in  an  inntant.  The  specta- 
tors were  horror  stricken.  De  .*^tto  instinctively  seiz- 
ed his  sword,  and  would  doubllcHs  have  put  spurs  to 
his  horse,  rusl  ed  upon  the  f  overnor,  and  plunged 
the  weapon  to  the  hilt  in  his  breast,  but  for  the  re- 
straining memories  of  the  past,  Hesitatingly  he 
returned  his  sword  to  its  scabl)ard. 

But  Don  Peilro  had  not  yet  fininhed  the  contcm- 


64 


DE   SOTO. 


plated  work  of  the  day.  Another  victim  he  had 
doomed  to  fall.  A  file  of  .soldiers,  very  resolute  men, 
led  by  a  determined  officer,  crossing  the  square,  ap- 
proached De  Soto,  at  the  head  of  his  troops.  Don 
Pedro  then  exclaimed  in  a  loud  voice, 

"  Ferdinand  De  .Soto,  you  are  ordered  to  dis- 
mount and  submit  yourself  to  the  punishment  which 
you  have  just  seen  inflicted  on  your  traitorous  com- 
rade. Soldiers  !  drag  him  from  his  horse  if  he  refuse 
to  obey," 

The  officer  reached  forth  his  hand  to  seize  De 
Soto.  Like  lightning's  flash,  the  sword  of  the  cav- 
alier fell  upon  the  officer,  and  his  head  was  cleft  from 
crown  to  chin.  The  spurs  were  ai^plied  to  the  fiery 
steed.  He  plunged  through  the  soldiers,  knocking 
several  of  them  down,  and  in  an  instant  De  Soto  had 
his  sword's  point  at  the  breast  of  the  governor. 
Shouts  of  "  kill  the  tyrant,"  rose  from  all  parts  of  the 
square,  which  were  echoed  even  from  the  ranks  of 
Don  Pedro's  so'diers.  Again  De  Soto  held  back  his 
avenging  hand  ;  but  yi  words  which  made  Don  Pedro 
quake  in  his  shoes,  he  said, 

"  You  hear  the  expression  of  public  .sentiment. 
You  hear  the  wishes  of  those  who  are  subject  to  your 
authority.  It  is  the  voice  of  justice  speaking  through 
these  people.  In  refusing  to  obey  the  call,  I  am 
scarcely  less  guilty  than   yourself.     But  remember, 


DEMONIAC    REIGN. 


65 


Don  Pedro,  that  in  sparing  your  life  at  tliis  moment, 
I  discharge  all  the  oblig:  i.ns  I  have  owed  you. 
Miserable  old  man !  Be  thankful  that  the  recollection 
of  one  that  is  absent,  can  make  me  forget  what  I  owe 
to  my  murdered  friend. 

"  I  will  now  sheathe  my  sword,  but  I  solemnly  de- 
clare by  the  sacred  emblem  of  the  cross  which  it 
bears,  that  I  will  never  draw  it  again  in  your  ser- 
vice." 

The  assassination,  for  it  could  hardly  be  called 
execution,  of  De  Cordova,  excited  the  general  indig- 
nation of  the  Spanish  settlers.  They  all  knew  that 
Don  Pedro  had  no  authority  from  the  king  of  Spain 
to  assume  the  government  of  Nicaragua,  and  that  he 
was  therefore  an  usurper.  The  noble  character  which 
De  Soto  had  exhibited,  and  his  undeniable  ability  and 
bravery,  had  won  for  him  universal  regard.  The  Span- 
iards generally  rallied  around  him,  and  entreated  him 
to  assume  the  command,  promising  him  their  enthu- 
siastic support.  They  could  not  comprehend  why  De 
Soto  so  persistently  refused  their  solicitations.  They 
knew  nothing  of  the  secret  reasons  which  rendered  it 
almost  impossible  for  De  Soto  to  draw  his  sword 
against  the  father  of  Isabella. 

As  we  have  mentioned,  it  was  generally  supposed 
that  there  must  be  some  strait  between  the  Isthmus 
of  Darien  and  the  southern  frontiers  of  Mexico,  wh'':h 


66 


DE    SOTO. 


connected  the  waters  of  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific 
Oceans.  The  king  of  Spain  had  offered  a  large  re- 
ward for  the  discovery  of  this  passage.  Several  of  the 
wealthy  citizens  of  Leon  organized  an  expedition  in 
pursuit  of  this  object.  De  Soto  was  placed  at  its 
head.  He  selected,  from  his  cavalry  troop,  five  of  his 
most  intelligent  and  energetic  young  men.  They 
started  from  Leon,  and  followed  along  the  coast  of 
the  Pacific,  in  northwesterly  course,  ])enetrating  every 
bay  and  inlet.  They  travelled  on  horseback  and  en- 
countered innumerable  difficulties  from  the  rugged 
and  pathless  wilderness,  through  which  they  pressed 
their  way.  They  also  had  much  to  fear  from  the  un- 
friendly character  of  the  natives,  whose  hostility  had 
been  aroused  by  the  outrages  which  companies  of 
vagabond  Spaniards  had  inflicted  upon   them. 

De  Soto,  however,  and  his  companions,  by  their 
just  and  kindly  spirit,  soon  won  the  regards  of  the 
Indians.  They  found  that  the  natives  possessed  large 
quantities  of  gold,  which  they  seemed  to  esteem  of 
little  value.  Eagerly  they  exchanged  the  precious 
metal  for  such  trinkets  as  the  explorers  took  with 
them.  Upon  this  arduous  expedition,  which  De 
Soto  managed  with  consummate  skill,  he  was  absent 
eleven  months.  Seven  hundred  miles  of  sea-coast 
were  carefully  explored,  and  he  became  fully  con- 
vinced   that    the    lookcd-for    strait    did   not    exist. 


DEMONIAC    REIGN. 


^1 


Though  in  this  respect  the  expedition  had  proved  a 
failure,  he  returned  to  Leon  quite  enriched  by  the 
gold  which  he  had  gathered.  With  honesty,  rarely 
witnessed  in  those  days,  he  impartially  divided  the 
treasure  among  the  projectors  of  the  enterprise. 

As  De  Soto  was  returning,  he  discovered  a  small 
Spanish  vessel  anchored  near  the  present  site  of 
San  Salvador.  As  his  men  and  horses  were  worn 
(Icnvn  by  their  fatiguing  journey,  he  engaged  a  pas- 
sage in  the  vessel  to  Leon.  Upon  embarking  he 
found  the  captain  and  crew  consisted  of  some  of  the 
most  depraved  and  brutal  men  who  had  ever  visited 
the  New  World.  They  were  cruising  along  the 
coast,  watching  for  opportunity  to  kidnap  the  natives, 
to  convey  them  to  the  West  Indies  as  slaves.  The 
captain  was  the  infamous  Valenzuela,  who,  as  agent 
of  Don  Pedro,  had  tortured  M.  Codro  to  death. 

I)e  Soto  had  no  knowledge,  as  we  have  mentioned, 
of  the  dreadful  doom  which  had  befallen  his  friend. 
One  day  the  fiendlike  captain  was  amusing  his  crew 
with  a  recital  of  his  past  deeds  of  villany.  He  told 
the  story  of  the  murder  of  Codro.  , 

"  lie  was,"  he  said,  "  an  old  wizard  whom  Don 
Pedro,  the  governor  of  Panama,  commissioned  me  to 
lorture  and  to  put  to  death,  in  consequence  of  some 
treachery  of  which  he  had  been  guilty  while  on  a 
mission  to  Spain.  m. 


68 


DE    SOTO. 


The  words  caught  the  ear  of  De  Soto.  He  johi- 
ed  the  group,  and  listened  with  breathless  attention 
and  a  throbbing  heart,  to  the  statement  of  Valen- 
zuela. 

"  I  chained  the  old  fellow,"  said  the  captain,  "  to 
the  mainmast,  and  the  sailors  amused  themselves  by 
drenching  him  with  buckets  of  cold  water,  till  he 
was  almost  drowned.  After  several  days,  he  became 
so  sick  and  exhausted,  that  we  saw  that  our  sport 
would  soon  be  at  an  end.  For  two  days  he  was 
speechless.  He  then  suddenly  recovered  the  use  of 
his  voice,  and  endeavored  to  frighten  me  by  saying : 

"  Captain,  your  treatment  has  caused  my  death. 
I  now  call  upon  you  to  hear  the  words  of  a  dying 
man.  Within  a  year  from  this  time,  I  summon  you 
to  meet  me  before  the  judgment  seat  of  God." 

Here  the  captain  burst  into  a  derisive  and  scorn- 
ful laugh.     He  then  added  :      '  - 

"  Come  comrades,  we'll  have  a  hamper  of  wine, 
and  drink  to  the  repose  of  M.  Codro's  soul." 

De  Soto  stepped  forward,  and  repressing  all  ex- 
ternal exhibition  of  the  rage  which  consumed  his 
soul,  said  calmly  to  the  captain 

"  You  say  that  the  astrologer  prophesied  that 
you  should  die  within  the  year.  When  will  that  year 
expire  ? " 

"  In  about  two  weeks,"  the  captain  replied.    "  But 


DEMONIAC    REIGN. 


69 


I  have  no  fear  but  that  the  prophet  will  prove  to  be 
a  liar." 

"  He  shall  not,"  De  Soto  aclcled.  And  drawing 
from  his  scabbard  his  keen,  glittering  sword,  with 
one  blow  from  his  sinewy  arm,  severed  the  captain's 
head  from  his  body.  The  ghastly  trophy  rolled 
gushing  with  blood  upon  the  deck.  These  wild  and 
savage  men  were  accustomed  to  such  scenes.  They 
admired  the  courage  of  De  Soto,  and  the  marvellous 
skill  with  which,  at  one  blow,  he  had  struck  oft'  the 
head  of  the  captain.  De  Soto  then  turned  to  the 
crowd  and  said  :  .  .     . 

"Gentlemen,  if  any  of  you  are  disposed  to  hold 
me  accountable  for  what  T  have  just  done,  I  am  ready 
to  answer  you  according  to  your  desires.  But  I  con- 
sider myself  bound,  in  reason  and  in  courtesy,  to  in- 
form you,  that  M.  Codro,  the  man  whom  this  villain 
murdered,  was  my  friend  ;  and  I  doubt  not  that  he 
was  condemned  to  death  for  doing  me  an  important 
service."  •  ■ 

All  seemed  satisfied  with  this  explanation.  These 
sanguinary  scenes  in  those  days  produced  but  a  mo- 
mentary impression. 

De  Soto  and  Don  Pedro  no  longer  held  any  inter- 
course with  each  other.  The  reign  of  the  usurping 
governor  was  atrocious  beyond  the  power  of  lan- 
guage to  express.     With  horses  and  bloodhounds  he 


70 


DE    SOTO. 


ran  down  the  natives,  seizing  and  selling  them  as 
slaves.  Droves  of  men,  women  and  children,  chained 
together,  were  often  driven  into  the  streets  of  Leon. 

The  assumption  then  was  that  a  nominal  Christian 
might  pardonably  inflict  any  outrages  upon  those  who 
had  not  accepted  the  Christian  faith.  Several  of  the 
Indian  chiefs  had  embraced  Christianity.  Don  Pedro 
compelled  them  all  to  pay  him  a  tribute  of  fifty  slaves 
a  month.  All  orphans  were  to  be  surrendered  as 
slaves.  And  then  the  wretch  demanded  that  all 
parents  who  had  several  children,  should  surrender 
one  or  more,  as  slaves  to  the  Spaniards.  The  natives 
were  robbed  of  their  harvests,  so  that  they  had  no 
encouragement  to  cultivate  the  soil.  This  led  to 
famine,  and  more  than  twenty  thousand  perished  of 
starvation.  Famine  introduced  pestilence.  The  good 
Las  Casas  declares  that  in  consequence  of  the  oppres- 
sions of  the  Spaniards,  in  ten  years,  more  than  sixty 
thousand  of  the  natives  of  Nicaragua  perished. 

About  this  time  Francisco  Pizarro  had  embarked 
in  a  hair-brained  enterprise  for  the  conquest  of  Peru, 
on  the  western  coast  of  South  America,  Very  slowly 
he  had  forced  his  way  along,  towards  that  vast  empire, 
encountering  innumerable  difficulties,  and  enduring 
frightful  sufferings,  until  he  had  reached  a  point  where 
his  progress  seemed  to  be  arrested.  His  army  was 
greatly  weakened,  and  he  had  not  sufficient  force  to 


DEMONIAC    REIGN. 


71 


push  his  conquests  any  farther.  Threatened  with  the 
utter  extermination  of  his  band,  he  remembered  De 
Soto,  whom  he  had  never  loved.  He  knew  that  he 
was  anxious  for  fame  and  fortune,  and  thought  that 
his  bravery  and  great  military  ability  might  extricate 
him  from  his  embarrassments. 

He  therefore  wrote  to  Don  Pedro,  praying  that 
Dc  Soto,  with  reinforcements,  might  be  sent  to  his  aid. 
For  three  years  there  had  been  no  communication 
whatever  between  the  governor  and  the  lover  of  his 
(laughter.  But  Don  Pedro  regarded  the  adventure  of 
Pizarro  as  hazardous  in  the  extreme,  and  felt  sure 
that  all  engaged  in  the  enterprise  would  miserably 
perish.  Eagerly  he  caught  at  the  idea  of  sending  De 
Soto  to  join  them  ;  for  his  presence  was  to  Don  Pedro 
a  constant  source  of  annoyance  and  dread.  He  there- 
fore caused  the  communication  from  Pizarro  to  be 
conveyed  to  De  Soto,  saying  to  the  messenger  who 
bore  it : 

"  Urge  De  Soto  to  depart  immediately  for  Peru. 
And  I  pray  Heaven  that  we  may  never  hear  of  him 


agaui. 


De  Soto,  not  knowing  what  to  do  with  himself,  im- 
prudently consented,  and  thus  allied  his  fortunes  with 
those  of  one  of  the  greatest  villains  of  any  age  or 
country. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Tlic  Invasion  of  Pern. 

The  Kingdom  of  Peru. — Its  Metropolis. — The  Desperate  Condition 
of  Pizano. — Arrival  of  De  Soto. — Character  of  the  Spaniards. — 
Exploring  tour  of  De  Soto. — The  Colony  at  San  Miguel. — The 
General  Advance. — Second  Exploration  of  De  Soto. — Infamous 
Conduct  of  the  Pizarros. 


The  kingdom  of  Peru,  skirting  the  western  coast 
of  South  America,  between  the  majestic  peaks  of  the 
Andes  and  the  mirrored  waters  of  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
was  one  of  the  most  beautiful  countries  in  the  world. 
This  kingdom,  diversified  with  every  variety  of  scen- 
ery, both  of  the  sublime  and  the  beautiful,  and  enjoy- 
ing a  delicious  climate,  was  about  eighteen  hundred 
miles  in  length  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  breadth. 
The  natives  had  attained  a  high  degree  of  civilization. 
Though  gunpowder,  steel  armor,  war  horses,  and 
blood-hounds  gave  the  barbarian  Spaniards  the  su- 
premacy on  fields  of  blood,  the  leading  men,  among 
the  Peruvians,  seem  to  have  been  in  intelligence,  hu- 
manity and  every  virtue,  far  superior  to  the  savage 
leaders  of  the  Spaniards,  who  so  ruthlessly  invaded 
their  peaceful  realms. 


THE    INVASION    OF    PERU. 


73 


The  metre nolis  of  the  empire  was  the  city  of 
Cuzo,  which  was  situated  in  a  soft  and  luxuriant  val- 
ley traversing  some  table-lands  which  were  about 
twelve  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  The 
government  of  the  country  was  an  absolute  mon- 
archy, lint  its  sovereign,  called  the  Inca,  seems  to 
have  been  truly  a  good  man,  the  father  of  his  people; 
wisely  and  successfully  seeking  their  welfare.  The 
Peruvians  had  attained  a  degree  of  excellence  in 
many  of  the  arts  unsurpassed  by  the  Spaniards. 
Their  houses  were  generally  built  of  stone  ;  their 
massive  temples,  though  devoid  of  architectural  beau- 
ty, were  constructed  of  hewn  blocks  of  grr.  ite,  so  ad- 
mirably joined  together  that  the  seams  could  be  with 
difficulty  discerned. 

Humbolt  found,  among  the  ruins  of  these  temples, 
blocks  of  hewn  stone  thirty- six  feet  long,  nine  feet 
wide,  and  six  feet  in  thickness.  Their  great  high- 
ways, spanning  the  gulfs,  clinging  to  the  precipitous 
cliffs  and  climbing  the  mountains,  were  wonderful 
works  of  mechanical  skill. 

De  Soto  was  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
cruel,  faithless,  and  treacherous  character  of  Pizarro. 
A  stigma  must  ever  rest  upon  his  name,  for  consent- 
ing to  enter  into  any  expedition  under  the  leadership 
of  such  a  man.  It  may  however  be  said,  in  reply, 
that  he  had  no  intention  of  obeying  Pizarro  in  any 


74 


DE    SOTO. 


thing  that  was  wrong ;  that  his  love  of  adventure  was 
roused  by  the  desire  to  explore  one  of  the  most  mag- 
nificent empires  in  the  Ne^v  World,  which  rumor  had 
invested  with  wealth  and  splendor  surpassing  the 
dreams  of  romance.  And  perhaps,  most  important 
of  all,  he  hoped  honestly  to  be  able  k)  gather  from 
the  fabled  miner?  of  gold,  with  which  Peru  was  said 
to  be  filled,  that  wealth  with  which  he  would  be  en- 
abled to  return  to  Spain  and  claim  the  hand,  as  he 
had  already  won  the  heart,  of  the  fair  ar  1  faithful 
Isabella. 

Pizarro  had  entered  upon  his  enteq:)rise  with  an 
army  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  men,  twenty-seven 
of  whom  were  mounted.  It  seems  to  be  tiie  uncon- 
tradicted testimony  of  contemporary  historians,  th.it 
this  army  was  composed  of  as  worthless  a  set  of  vag- 
abonds as  ever  disgraced  humanity.  There  was  no 
crime  or  cruelty  from  which  these  fiends  in  human 
form  would  recoil. 

Pizarro,  following  down  the  western  coast  of 
Scuth  America  five  or  six  hundred  miles,  had  reach- 
ed che  island  of  Puna,  in  the  extreme  northern  part 
of  Peru.  It  was  separated  from  the  mainland  by  a 
narrow  strait.  The  inhabitants  received  him  cor- 
dially, but  the  murders,  rapine  aid  other  nameless 
atrocities  perpetrated  by  the  Spaniards  upon  the 
friendly  natives,  soon   so  aroused   their   resentment 


THE    INVASION    OF    PEUU. 


75 


that  a  conspiracy  was  formed  for  Ihc  entire  exterm- 
ination of  the  invaders.  The  cx}je<lition  h."]  become 
so  weakened  and  demoralized  that  even  I'i/arro  saw 
that  it  would  be  the  height  of  imprudence  for  him  to 
venture,  with  his  vile  crew,  up(;n  the  mainland,  be- 
fore reinforcements  under  some  dei^ree  of  military 
discipline  should  arrive.  I  le  was  in  thin  precarious 
condition,  and  on  the  eve  of  extermination,  when  De 
Soto  and  his  select  and  well-orderc<l  troops  reached 
the  island. 

They  came  in  two  vessels,  brinj.^inj;  with  them  an 
abundant  supply  of  arms  and  ammunitirm.  The  party 
consisted  of  fifty  men,  thorougldy  equipped.  Thirty 
of  them  were  steel -clnf'  ''avaliern,  well  mounted. 
I)e  Soto  had  been  offered  the  rank  of  second  in 
command.  lUit  when  he  arrived  at  I'una,  he  found 
that  I'i/.arro's  brother — Hernando-— occupied  this 
post,  and  that  he  had  no  intention  of  relincpiishing  it. 
De  Soto  reproached  I'izarro  in  very  plain  terms  for 
t'-.is  wrong  and  insult.  lie  however  did  not  allow  it 
long  to  trouble  him.  Surrounded  by  his  own  brave 
and  devoted  followers,  he  felt  quite  indrpcndent  of 
the  authority  of  I'izarro,  and  had  no  intentioa  of 
obeying  him  any  farther  than  might  be  in  accordance 
with  his  own  wishes. 

On  the  o<her  band,  Pizarn*  had  but  little  confi- 
dence in  his  brother,  and  was  fully  conHciou.n  that  tb*^ 


76 


DE    SOTO. 


success  of  his  enterprise  would  be  mainly  dependent 
upon  the  energy  and  skill  of  Dc  Soto, 

Pizarro,now  finding  himself  at  the  head  of  really  a 
formidable  force,  prepared  to  pass  over  to  the  main- 
land. There  was  quite  a  large  town  there  called 
Tumbez,  surrounded  by  a  rich  and  densely  pr^piilat- 
ed  country.  The  Peruvians  had  gold  in  abundance, 
and  weapons  and  utensils  of  copper.  With  iron  and 
steel,  they  were  entirely  unacquainted,  A»  when 
fighting  at  a  distance,  the  bullet  of  the  .Spaniard  was 
immeasurably  superior  to  the  arrow  of  the  native,  so 
in  a  hand  to  hand  fidit,  the  keen  and  glitlerii);;  habre 
of  steel,  especially  in  the  hands  of  steel-clad  cava- 
liers left  the  poorly  armed  Peruvians  almost  entirely 
at  their  mercy. 

Arrangements  were  made  to  cross  the  strait  and 
make  a  descent  upon  Tumbez,  Pizarro  had  already 
visited  the  place,  where  he  had  yccn  kindly  received 
by  the  inhabitants,  and  where  he  had  seen  with  his 
own  eyes  that  the  houses  and  temi)les  were  dec- 
orated with  golden  ornaments,  (;ften  massive  in 
weight,  and  of  almost  priceless  value,  lie  floated 
his  little  band  across  the  narrow  strait  on  raftH. 

The  inhabitants  of  Tumbez  and  its  vicinity  had 
been  dispo.sed  to  receive  their  Spanish  viHit(ir,H  as 
guests,  and  to  treat  them  with  the  utmost  courtesy 
r,nd  kindness.     But  the  tidings  had  reached  them  of 


Till-     I\VAS|r;N    oi-     I'l'.KU, 


77 


the  terrible  outrages  which  (hi-y  had  inflicted  upon 
the  inhabitants  of  I'nna.  Thfty  therefore  attacked 
the  Spaniards  as  tliey  approached  the  shore  on  their 
rafts  and  endeavored  to  prevent  their  hmding.  lint 
the  invaders,  with  musketry  and  a  cannon  which  they 
had  with  them,  si)eedily  <lrove  olf  tlieir  assailants,  and 
with  horses  and  hounds"  planted  their  banners  ujjon 
t!  .  hore.  They  then  marched  directly  ui>on  Turn- 
be/.,  confident  of  {(athcrinpj,  from  the  decorations  of 
her  palaces  and  her  tenlplcM,  aboundiiij;  wealth,  liit- 
ter  was  their  disappointment.  The  Peruvians,  con- 
scious of  their  probable  inability  to  resist  the  invaders, 
had  jjjenerally  abandoned  the  city,  carrying  with  them, 
far  away  into  the  mountainH,  aii  their  treasures. 

The  Spaniards,  who  had  <Mitercd  the  city  with 
hideous  yells  of  triumj)h,  bein;<  thus  frustrated  in  the 
main  object  of  their  expedition,  (ound,  l)y  inquiry, 
that  at  the  distance  of  Hcvcral  leagues  easterly  from  , 
the  sea-coast,  amon;^  the  pleasant  valleys  of  the  moun- 
tains, there  were  i'ojjuIouh  cilicH,  where  abundance 
of  booty  might  be  loMn«l, 

The  whole  nund)cr  of  Spaniards,  then  invading 
Peru,  did  not  exceed  two  Innidred  and  fifty.  The 
Peruvians  were  daily  becomin;<  more  deeply  exas- 
perated. With  such  a  number  of  men,  and  no  fort  - 
fied  base  to  fall  bacK  u|)on,  I'i/arro  did  not  deem  it 
safe  to  enter  upon  a  plundering'  tour  into  the  inleri  )r. 


78 


DE   SOTO. 


Keeping  therefore  about  ^ne  hundred  and  thirty 
men  with  him,  and  strongly  fortifying  himself  at 
Tumbcz,  he  sent  De  Soto,  at  the  head  of  eighty  men, 
sixty  of  whom  were  mounted,  back  into  the  moun- 
tains, to  search  for  gold,  and  to  report  respecting  the 
condition  of  the  country,  in  preparation  for  future  ex- 
peditions. 

The  bad  fame  of  I'izarro  was  spreading  far  and 
wide.  And  though  De  Soto  enjoined  it  strictly 
upon  his  men,  not  to  be  guilty  of  any  act  of  injustice, 
still  he  was  an  invading  .Si)aniard,  and  the  Peruvians 
regarded  them  all  as  the  shepherd  regards  the  wolf. 
De  Soto  had  passed  but  a  few  leagues  from  the  sea- 
shore, ere  he  entered  upon  the  hilly  country.  As  he 
was  ascending  A)ne  of  the  gentle  eminences,  a  band 
of  two  thousand  Indians,  who  had  met  there  to  arrest 
his  progress,  rushed  down  upon  him.  His  sixty 
horsemen  instantly  formed  in  column  and  impet- 
uously charged  into  thei^  Crowded  ranks.  These 
Peruvians  had  never  seen  a  horse  before.  Their 
arrows  glanced  harmless  from  the  impenetrable 
armor,  and  they  Cvere  mercilessly  cut  down  and 
trampled  beneath  iron  hoofs.  The  Spaniards  gallop- 
ed through  and  through  their  ranks,  strewing  the 
i'>"  ground  with  the  dead.  I'hc  carnage  was  of  short 
duration.  The  panic-stricken  Peruvians  fled  where- 
ever  there  was  a  possibility  of  cscajie.     The  trumpets 


THE    IxWASION    OF    PERU. 


79 


of  the  conquerors  pealed  forth  their  triumphant 
strains  The  silken  banners  waved  proudly  in  the 
breeze,  and  the  victors  exultingly  continued  their 
march  through  one  of  the  defiles  of  the  mountains. 

Whatever  excuses  De  Soto  may  make  for  himself, 
humanity  will  never  forgive  him  for  the  carnage  of 
that  day.  Having  thus  fairly  embarked  upon  this 
enterprise,  where  he  was  surely  gaining  military  re- 
nown, infamous  as  it  was,  and  where  there  was  the 
prospect  before  him  of  plunder  of  incalculable  worth, 
De  Soto  seems  to  have  assumed  to  act  upon  his  own 
responsibility,  and  to  have  paid  very  little  regard  to 
the  authority  of  Pizarro,  whom  he  had  lefi  behind, 
lie  had  already  penetrated  the  country  much  farther 
than  he  had  been  authorized  to  do  by  the  orders  of  his 
superior.  One  of  the  men,  whom  Pizarro  had  sent 
with  him,  very  probably  as  a  spy  upon  his  movements, 
deserted,  and  returned  to  Tumbez  with  the  report 
that  De  Soto  was  already  practically  in  revolt,  and 
had  renounced  all  dependence  on  Pizarro.  For  this 
alleged  insubordination,  Pizarro  did  not  venture  to 
call  his  energetic  lieutenant  to  account. 

In  the  mean  time,  Pizarro  was  exploring  the  coun- 
ti  y  in  the  vicinity  of  Tumbez,  for  the  site  of  the  colo- 
ny he  wished  to  establish.  He  selected  a  position 
about  ninety  miles  south  of  that  city,  in  a  rich  and 
well-watered  valley  which    opened  upon    the  placid 


8o 


DE    SOTO. 


surface  of  the  Pacific.  His  troops  were  transported 
to  the  spot  by  the  two  vessels.  Here  he  laid  the 
foundations  of  a  town,  which  he  called  San  Miguel. 
With  timber  from  the  mountains,  dr.d  stone  from  the 
quarries,  and  the  labor  of  a  h.rge  number  of  natives, 
who  were  driven  to  daily  toil,  not  as  servants,  by  the 
stimulus  of  well-paid  labor,  but  as  slaves,  goaded  by 
the  sabres  of  their  task  masters,  quite  a  large  and 
strongly-fortified  town  rapidly  arose. 

De  Soto  continued  his  explorations  in  the  interior 
for  some  time,  and  discovered  a  very  magnificent 
highway,  leading  to  the  capital  of  the  empire.  It 
was  smoothly  paved  with  flat  blocks  of  stone,  or  with 
cement  harder  than  stone.  He  returned  to  San 
Miguel  with  the  report  of  his  discoveries,  and  quite 
richly  laden  with  the  gold  which  he  had  received  as  a 
present  from  the  natives,  or  which  he  had  seized  as 
what  he  considerea  the  lawful  spoils  of  war.  The 
sight  of  the  gold  inspired  all  the  Spaniards  at  San 
Miguel  with  the  intense  desire  to  press  forward  into 
a  field  which  promised  so  rich  a  harvest. 

It  was  ascertained  tliat  thr  Inca  had  command  of 
an  army  of  over  fifty  thousand  men.  Pizarro.lecvinjr 
sixty  men  in  garrison  at  San  Miguel,  set  (.nit  with  one 
hundred  and  ninety  men  to  visit  the  I.ica  in  his  capi- 
tal. De  Soto  accompanied  him.  It  was  not  ostensi- 
bly a  military  expedition,  seeking  the  conquest  of  the 


THE    INVASION    OF    PERU. 


Si 


country,  or  moving  with  any  hostile  intent  whatever. 
Dc  Soto  had  a  conscience  ;  Pizarro  had  none.  What- 
ever reproaches  might  arise  in  tiie  mind  of  Dc  Soto 
in  reference  to  the  course  he  was  pursuing,  he  si- 
lenced them  by  the  very  plausible  assumption  that 
he  was  an  ambassador  from  the  king  of  Si)ain,  com- 
missioned to  make  a  friendly  visit  to  the  monarch  of 
another  newly-discovered  empire  ;  that  he  was  the 
messenger  of  peace  seeking  to  unite  the  two  king- 
doms in  friendly  relations  with  each  (jther  for  their 
mutual  benefit.  This  was  probably  the  .eal  feeling 
of  De  Soto.  The  expedition  was  commissioned  by 
the  king  of  Si)ain.  The  armed  retinue  was  only 
siich  as  became'  the  ambassadors  of  a  great  monarch. 
Such  an  expedition  was  in  every  respect  desirable. 
The  fault — perhaps  we  ought  in  candor  to  say  the  ca- 
lamity— of  De  Soto  was  in  allowing  himself  to  be  at- 
tached to  an  expedition  under  a  man  so  thoroughly 
reckless  and  unprincipled  as  he  knew  Pizarro  to 
have  been.  Perhaps  he  lu)ped  to  control  the  actions 
of  his  ignorant  and  fanatic  superior  officer.  It  is 
quite  manifest  that  Dc  Soto  did  exert  a  very  powerful 
influence  in  giving  shape  to  the  expedition. 

An  Indian  courier  was  sent  forward  to  Cuzco, 
one  of  the  capitals  of  the  Peruvian  monarch,  with 
a  friendly  and  almost  an  obsequious  message  to  the 
Inca,  whose   najii«   .was  Attahuallapa.     The  courier 


89 


DE    SOTO. 


bore  the  communication  that  Pizarro  was  an  am- 
bassador commissioned  by  the  king  of  Spain  to  visit 
the  king  of  Peru,  and  to  kiss  his  hand  in  token  of 
peace  and  fraternity.  He  therefore  soHcited  that 
protection  in  passing  through  the  country  which  every 
monarch  is  bound  to  render  to  the  representatives  of 
a  foreign  and  friendly  power. 

Pizarro,  as  it  will  be  remembered,  was  a  rough 
and  illiterate  soldier,  unable  either  to  read  or  write. 
In  this  sagacious  diplomatic  arrangement,  we  un- 
doubtedly see  the  movement  of  De  Soto's  reflective 
and  cultivated  mind.  The  expedition  moved  slowly 
along,  awaiting  the  return  of  the  courier.  He  soon 
came  back  with  a  very  indefinite  response,  and  with  a 
present  of  two  curiously  carved  stone  cups,  and  some 
perfumery.  The  guarded  reply  and  the  meagre  pres- 
ent excited  some  alarm  in  the  Spanish  camp.  It 
was  very  evident  that  the  expedition  was  not  to  antic- 
ipate a  very  cordial  reception  at  the  Peruvian  court. 
Pizarro  was  much  alLrmed.  He  was  quite  confident 
that  the  Inca  was  trying  to  lure  them  on  to  their 
ruin.  Having  called  a  council  of  war,  he  urged  that 
they  should  proceed  no  farther  until  he  had  sent 
some  faithful  Indian  spies  to  ascertain  the  intentions 
of  Attahuallapa. 

But  De  Soto,  whose    youthful  energies  were  in- 


THE    INVASION    OF    PERU. 


83 


spired  by  love  and  ambition,  was  eager  to  press  for- 
ward, 

"It  is  not  necessary,"  said  he,  "  for  the  Inca  to 
use  treachery  with  us.  He  could  easily  overpower 
us  with  numbers  were  he  so  disposed.  We  have  also 
heard  that  he  is  a  just  and  merciful  prince  ;  and  the 
courtesy  he  has  already  shown  us,  is  some  token  at 
least  of  his  good  will,  liut  \Vhy  should  we  hesitate  ? 
We  have  no  longer  any  choice  but  to  go  forward.  If 
we  now  retreat,  it  will  prove  our  professions  to  be 
false  ;  and  when  the  suspicions  of  the  Inca  are  once 
aroused,  we  shall  find  it  impossible  to  escape  from  his 
country." 

Pizarro's  brother — Hernando — was  a  man  of  ig- 
noble birth,  of  ruffianly  manners,  of  low  and  brutal 
character.  Tauntingly  he  inquired  of  De  Soto,  if  he 
were  ready  to  give  proof  of  his  confidence  in  the  faith 
of  the  Peruvian  monarch,  by  going  forward  to  his 
court,  as  an  envoy  from  the  embassy. 

De  Soto  turned  his  keen  and  flashing  eye  upon 
tlic  man,  whom  he  despised,  and  said  in  slow  and 
measured  words  :  4 

"  Don  Hernando,  I  may  yet  convince  you  that  it 
is  neither  civil  nor  safe  to  call  my  sincerity  in  ques 
tion.    I  have  as  much  confidence  in  the  honor  of  the 
Inca  as  I  have  in  the  integrity  of  any  man  in  this 
company,  not  excepting  the  commander  or  yourself. 


I 


84 


DE    SOTO. 


I  perceive  that  you  are  disposed  to  go  backward. 
You  may  all  return,  when  and  how  you  please,  or  re- 
main where  you  are.  ]Uit  I  have  made  up  my  mind 
to  present  myself  to  Attahuallapa.  And  I  shall  cer- 
tainly do  so,  without  asking  the  assistance  or  permis- 
sion of  any  of  your  party." 

This  was  certainly  a  very  defiant  speech.  It  as- 
serted his  entire  rejection  of  the  authority  of  Pizarro. 
De  Soto  could  not  have  dared  thus  to  have  spoken, 
unless  he  had  felt  strong  in  the  support  of  his  own 
dragoons. 

Hernando  Pizarro  was  silent,  indulging  only  in  a 
malignant  smile.  It  was  not  safe  for  him  to  provoke 
De  Soto  to  a  personal  rencontre.  Francisco  Pizarro 
smothered  his  chagrin  and  very  adroitly  availed  him- 
self of  this  statement,  to  commission  De  Soto  to  take 
twenty-four  horsemen,  such  as  he  might  select,  and 
accompanied  by  an  Indian  guide  called  P^ilipillo,  go 
forward  to  the  Peruvian  court. 

Both  of  the  Pizarros  seemed  quite  relieved  when 
the  sound  of  the  departing  squadron  of  brave  cava- 
liers died  away  in  the  distance.  De  Soto,  during  the 
whole  of  his  adventurous  life,  seems  to  have  been 
entirely  unconscious  of  the  emotion  of  fear.  Dur- 
ing his  residence  in  the  camp  of  the  Pizarros,  he 
had  exerted  a  powerful  restraint  upon  their  ferocious 
natures.     He  had  very  earnestly  endeavored  to  im- 


THE    INVASION    OF  PERU. 


B$ 


press  their  minds  with  the  conviction  that  they  could 
not  pass  through  the  populous  empire  of  Peru,  or  even 
remain  in  it,  if  their  followers  were  allowed  to  trample 
upon  the  rights  of  the  natives.  So  earnestly  and 
persistently  did  he  urge  these  views,  that  I'izarro  at 
length  acknowledged  their  truth,  and  in  the  presence 
of  De  Soto,  commanded  his  men  to  abstain  from 
every  act  of  aggression. 

But  now  that  De  Soto  was  gone,  the  Pizarros  and 
their  rabble  rout  of  vagabonds  breathed  more  freely. 
Scarcely  had  the  plumed  helmets  of  the  cavaliers 
disappeared  in  the  distance,  when  Hernando  Pizarro 
set  out  on  a  plundering  expedition  into  the  villages 
of  the  Peruvians.  The  natives  fled  in  terror  before 
the  Spaniards.  Pizarro  caught  one  of  the  leading  men 
and  questioned  him  very  closely  respecting  the  de- 
signs of  Attahuallapa.  The  captive  honestly  and 
earnestly  declared,  that  he  knew  nothing  about  the 
plans  of  his  sovereign. 

This  demoniac  Hernando  endeavored  to  extort  a 
confession  from  him  by  torture.  He  tied  his  victim 
to  a  tree,  enveloped  his  feet  in  cotton  thoroughly 
saturated  with  oil  and  applied  the  torch.  The 
wretched  sufferer  in  unendurable  agony,  said  "yes"  to 
anything  and  everything.  Two  days  after,  it  was 
proved  that  he  could  not  have  known  anything  re- 
specting the  intended  operations  of  the  Inca.     It  is 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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S6 


DE    SOTO. 


a  satisfaction  to  one's  sense  of  justice  to  rcmeml)cr 
that  there  is  a  God  who  will  not  allow  such  crinicM  to 
go  unpunished. 

De  Soto,  with  his  bold  cavaliers,  pressed  rapidly 
on  towards  the  Peruvian  camp.  Very  carefully  he 
guarded  against  every  act  of  hostility  or  injustice. 
Everywhere  the  natives  were  treated  with  the  ut- 
most courtesy.  In  the  rapid  advance  of  the  Span- 
iards through  the  country,  crowds  flocked  to  the  hij^h- 
way  attracted  by  the  novel  spectacle.  And  a  won- 
derful spectacle  it  must  have  been  !  These  cavalierH, 
with  their  nodding  plumes,  their  burnished  armor, 
their  gleaming  sabres,  their  silken  banners,  mounted 
on  magnificent  war  horses  and  rushing  along  over 
the  hills  and  through  the  valleys  in  meteoric  s|)lendor, 
must  have  presented  an  aspect  more  imposing  to 
their  minds  than  we  can  well  imagine. 

De  Soto,  who  had  not  his  superior  as  a  horsenum 
in  the  Spanish  army,  was  mounted  on  a  milk  white 
steed  of  extraordinary  size  and  grace  of  figure,  and 
wore  a  complete  suit  of  the  most  costly  and  showy 
armor.  It  is  said  that  on  one  occasion  his  path  waM 
crossed  by  a  brook  twenty  feet  wide.  The  noble 
animal  disdained  to  wade  through,  but  cleared  it  at  a 
single  bound. 

The  crowds  who  lined  the  highways  seemed  to 
understand  and  appreciate  the  friendly  feelings  De 


THE    INVASION    OF    PERU. 


87 


Soto  manifested  in  gracefully  bowing  to  them  and 
smiling  as  he  passed  along.  He  soon  ascertained, 
though  his  guide  Filipillo,  that  the  head-quarters  of 
the  Peruvian  camp  was  at  a  place  now  called  Caxa- 
marca,  among  the  mountains,  about  eighty  miles 
northeast  of  the  present  seaport  of  Truxillo. 

After  a  rapid  ride  of  about  six  hours,  the  expedi- 
tion approached  quite  a  flourishing  little  town  called 
Caxas.  Several  hundred  Peruvian  soldiers  were 
drawn  up  in  battle  array  in  the  outskirts,  to  arrest 
the  progress  of  the  Spaniards.  De  Soto  halted  his 
dragoons,  and  sent  forward  Filipillo  to  assure  the 
commandant  that  he  was  traversing  the  country  not 
with  any  hostile  intent,  and  that  he  bore  a  friendly 
message  from  his  own  sovereign  to  the  king  of  Peru. 

The  kindly  disposed  Peruvians  immediately  laid 
aside  their  arms,  welcomed  the  strangers,  and  enter- 
tained them  with  a  sumptuous  feast.  Thus  refresh- 
ed, they  pressed  on  several  leagues  farther,  until  they 
reached  a  much  larger  city  called  Guancabama, 
I'^rom  all  the  accounts  given  it  would  seem  that  the 
inhabitants  of  this  region  had  reached  a  degree  of 
civilization,  so  far  as  the  comforts  of  life  are  concern- 
ed, fully  equal  to  that  then  to  be  f  and  in  Spain. 
This  city  was  on  the  magnificent  highway  which 
traversed  fifteen  hundred  miles  through  the  very 
heart  of  the  empire.     The  houses,  which  were  built 


m 


88 


DE    SOTO. 


of  hewn  stone,  admirably  jointed,  consisted  of  several 
rooms,  and  were  distinguished  for  cleanliness,  order, 
and  domestic  comfort. 

The  men  seemed  intelligent,  the  women  modest, 
and  various  arts  of  industry  occupied  their  time.  De 
Soto  testified  that  the  great  highway  which  passed 
through  this  place  far  surpassed  in  grandeur  and 
utility  any  public  work  which  had  ever  been  attempt- 
ed in  Spain.  Happy  and  prosperous  as  were  the  Pe- 
ruvians, compared  with  the  inhabitants  of  most  other 
countries,  it  is  quite  evident  that  the  ravages  of  the 
Fall  were  not  unknown  there. 

Just  before  entering  the  town,  De  Soto  passed  a 
high  gibbet  upon  which  three  malefactors  were  hung 
in  chains,  swaying  in  the  breeze.  That  revolting 
spectacle  revealed  the  sad  truth  that  in  Peru,  as  well 
as  elsewhere,  man's  fallen  nature  developed  itself  in 
crime  and  woe.  The  Emperor  had  also  a  large  stand- 
ing army,  and  the  country  had  just  been  ravaged  by 
the  horrors  of  civil  war. 

De  Soto  was  kindly  received  at  Guancabama. 
Just  as  he  was  about  to  leave  for  Caxamarca,  an  en- 
voy from  the  Inca  reached  the  city  on  its  way  to  the 
Spanish  camp.  The  ambassador  was  a  man  of  high 
rank.  Several  servants  accompanied  him,  laden  with 
presents  for  Pizarro.  He  entreated  De  Soto  to  re- 
turn with  him  to  the  head-quarters  of  the    Spaniards. 


THE    INVASION    OF    PERU. 


89 


As  these  presents  and  this  embassy  would  probably 
convince  Pizarro  of  the  friendly  feeling  of  the  Peru- 
vian monarch,  De  Soto  judged  it  wise  to  comply 
with  his  request.  Tbjs  he  tarr.ed  back,  and  the 
united  party  soon  reached  Pizarro's  encampment. 


m 


CIIArTER  'VI. 

The  Atrocities  of  Pizarro. 

Fears  of  Pizarro. — Honorable  Conduct  of  the  Inca. — The  March  to 
Caxamarca. — Hospitable  Reception. — Perfidious  Attack  upon  the 
Inca. — His  Capture  and  Imprisonment. — The  Honor  of  De  Soto. 
— The  Offered  Ransom. — Treachery  and  Extortion  of  Pizarro. 


The  report  which  De  Soto  brought  back  was 
in  many  respects  quite  alarming  to  the  Pizarros. 
Though  they  were  delighted  to  hear  of  the  wealth 
which  had  been  discovered,  and  the  golden  ornaments 
decorating  houses,  temples  and  shrines,  they  were 
not  a  little  alarmed  in  the  contemplation  of  the  large 
population  over  which  the  Inca  reigned,  and  of  the 
power  of  his  government.  The  spectacle  of  the  gal- 
lows also  at  Guancabama,  caused  very  uncomfortable 
sensations. 

Both  of  these  men  were  aware  that  they  and  their 
troops  had  committed  crimes  which  would  doom  them 
to  the  scaffold,  should  the  Inca  be  able  to  punish  them 
according  to  their  deserts.  Indeed  it  subsequently 
appeared,  that  the  Inca  had  heard  of  their  outrages. 
But  with  humanity  and  a  sense  of  justice  which  re- 
flects lustre  upon  his  name,  he  had  resolved  not  to 


THE    ATROCITIES    OF    PIZARRO. 


9« 


punish  them  unheard  in  their  own  defence.  He  knew 
not  but  that  false  representations  had  been  made  of 
the  facts.  He  knew  not  but  that  the  Spaniards  had 
been  goaded  to  acts  of  retaliation  by  outrages  on 
the  part  of  the  Peruvians. 

He  therefore  invited  the  Spanish  adventurers  to 
meet  him  at  Caxamarca,  assuring  them  of  a  safe  pass- 
age to  that  place.  With  fear  and  trembling  Pizarro 
consented,  with  his  little  band  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  men,  to  visit  the  Peruvian  camp,  where  fifty 
thousand  soldiers  might  be  arrayed  against  him.  The 
path  they  were  to  traverse  led  through  defiles  of  the 
mountains,  where  a  few  hundred  men  could  arrest  the 
march  of  an  army.  The  Spaniards  afterwards  could 
not  but  admit,  that  had  the  Inca  cherished  any  per- 
fidious design,  he  might  with  the  utmost  ease  have 
utterly  exterminated  them.  Not  a  man  could  have 
escaped. 

The  march  of  these  trembling  men  was  not  with 
the  triumphant  tramp  of  conquerors.  They  did  not 
enter  the  Peruvian  camp  with  flouri.sh  of  trumpets 
and  bugle  blasts,  but  as  peaceful  ambassadors,  with 
a  showy  retinue,  who  had  been  permitted  to  traverse 
the  country  unharmed.  The  sun  was  just  sinking 
behind  the  rugged  peaks  of  the  mountains  on  the  fif- 
teenth of  November,  1532,  when  Pizarro's  band  rode 
into  the  streets  of  Caxamarca.     In  the  centre  of  the 


92 


DE    SOTO. 


town  there  was  a  large  public  square.  On  one  side 
of  that  square  was  a  spacious  stone  edifice,  which  the 
Inca  had  caused  to  be  prepared  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  his  guests.  This  building  was  a  part  of  a 
strong  fortress,  within  whose  massive  walls,  a  small 
party  of  well  armed  men  might  easily  defend  them- 
selves against  a  host. 

The  fact  that  Attahuallapa  assigned  to  them  such 
quarters,  proves  conclusively  that  he  had  no  intention 
to  treat  them  otherwise  than  in  the  most  friendly 
manner.  The  Inca,  with  the  troops  immediately 
under  his  command,  was  encamped  at  a  distance  of 
about  three  miles  from  the  town.  The  treacherous 
Pizarro  was  ever  apprehensive  of  treachery  on  the 
part  of  others.  He  was  an  entire  stranger  to  that 
calm  and  peaceful  courage  which  seemed  always  to 
reign  in  the  bosom  of  De  Soto. 

Immediately  after  he  reached  Caxamarca  he  dis- 
patched De  Soto  to  inform  the  Inca  of  his  arrival. 
The  Peruvian  camp  covered  several  acres  of  ground, 
with  substantial  and  commodious  tents.  In  the  cen- 
tre there  was  truly  a  magnificent  pavilion,  gorgeous 
in  its  decorations,  which  was  appropriated  to  the 
Inca.  Attahuallapa  was  informed  of  the  approach  of 
the  Spanish  cavaliers.  He  came  from  his  tent  and 
took  his  seat  upon  a  splendid  throne  prepared  for  the 
occasion.     The  Peruvian  soldiers  gazed  with  amaze- 


THE    ATROCITIES    OF    PIZARRO. 


93. 


merit  upon  the  spectacle  of  these  horsemen  as  they 
were  led  into  the  presence  of  their  sovereign. 

De  Soto,  with  the  native  grace  which  attended  all 
his  actions,  alighted  from  his  horse,  bowed  respectful- 
ly to  the  monarch,  and  said  in  words  which  were  inter- 
preted by  Filipillo. 

"  I  am  sent  by  my  commander,  Don  Francisco  Pi- 
zarro,  who  desires  to  be  admitted  to  your  presence,  to 
give  you  an  account  of  the  causes  which  have  brought 
him  to  this  country,  and  other  matters  which  it  may 
behoove  your  majesty  to  know.  He  humbly  entreats 
you  to  allow  him  an  interview  this  night  or  to-morrow, 
as  he  wishes  to  make  you  an  offer  of  his  services, 
and  to  deliver  the  message  which  has  been  commit- 
ted to  him  by  his  sovereign,  the  king  of  Spain." 

Attahuallapa  replied  with  much  dignity  and  some 
apparent  reserve,  that  he  cordially  accepted  the 
friendly  offers  of  Pizarro,  and  would  grant  him  the 
desired  interview  the  following  morning.  The  Inca 
was  a  young  man  about  thirty  years  of  age.  He  was 
tall,  admirably  formed,  and  with  a  very  handsome 
countenance.  Rut  there  was  an  expression  of  sad- 
ness overspreading  his  features,  and  a  pensive  tone 
in  his  address,  indicating  that  he  was  a  man  who  had 
seen  affliction. 

The  splendid  steed  from  which  De  Soto  had 
alighted  was  restlessly  pawing  the  ground  at  a  short 


94 


DE    SOTO. 


distance  from  the  tent  of  the  Inca,  attracting  the  par- 
ticular attention  and  admiration  of  the  sovereign.  De 
Soto,  perceiving  the  admiration  which  his  steed  elic- 
ited, remounted,  and  touching  the  spirited  animal 
with  the  spur,  went  bounding  with  almost  the  speed 
of  the  wind  over  the  level  plain,  causing  his  horse 
now  to  rear,  and  now  to  plunge,  wheeling  him 
around,  and  thus  exhibiting  his  excellent  qualities. 
He  then  came  down  at  full  speed  to  the  spot  where 
the  Inca  stood,  until  within  a  few  feet  of  the  monarch, 
when  he  checked  his  horse  so  suddenly  as  to  throw 
him  back  upon  his  haunches.  Some  of  the  attendants 
of  the  Inca  were  evidently  alarmed  ;  but  the  Inca 
himself  stood  proudly  immovable.  He  reproved  his 
attendants  for  their  timidity  ;  and  Mr.  Prescott,  who 
represents  Atthuallapa  as  a  very  cruel  man,  intimates 
"^^at  he  put  some  of  them  to  death  that  evening  for 
betraying  such  weakness  before  the  strangers.  Re- 
freshments were  offered  to  De  Soto  and  his  party, 
and  a  sort  of  wine  was  presented  to  them  in  golden 
cups,  of  extraordinary  size. 

As  De  Soto,  having  fulfilled  his  mission,  was 
about  to  leave  the  royal  presence  and  return  to  Cax- 
amarca,  Attahuallapa  said : 

"  Tell  your  companions,  that  as  I  am  keeping  a 
fast,  I  cannot  to-day  accept  their  invitation.  I  will 
come  to  them  to-morrow.     I  may  be  attended  by  a 


THE    ATROCITIES    OF    TIZARRO. 


95 


large  and  armed  retinue.  But  let  not  that  give  you 
any  uneasiness.  I  wish  to  cultivate  your  friendship 
and  that  of  your  king.  I  have  already  given  ample 
proof  that  no  harm  is  intended  you,  though  your 
captain,  I  am  told,  mistrusts  me.  If  you  think  it  will 
please  him  better,  I  will  come  with  few  attendants 
and  those  unarmed." 

De  Soto  warmly  assured  the  Inca  that  no  mar 
could  doubt  his  sincerity,  and  begged  him  to  consult 
his  own  taste  entirely  in  reference  to  the  manner  in 
which  he  would  approach  the  Spaniards. 

Upon  the  return  of  the  cavalier  to  Pizarro,  with 
an  accouat  of  the  interview,  that  perfidious  chieftain 
proposed  to  his  men,  that  they  should  seize  the  Inca 
and  hold  him  in  captivity  as  a  hostage.  Mr.  Pres- 
cott,  in  his  account  of  this  infamous  procedure, 
speaks  of  it  in  the  following  apologetic  terms  : 

"  Pizarro  then  summoned  a  council  of  his  officers, 
to  consider  the  plan  of  operations,  or  rather  to  pro- 
pose to  them  the  extraordinary  plan  on  which  he  had 
himself  decided.  This  was  to  lay  an  ambuscade  for 
the  Inca,  and  take  him  prisoner  in  the  face  of  his 
whole  army.  It  was  a  project  full  of  peril,  bordering  as 
it  might  well  seem  on  desperation.  But  the  circum- 
stances of  the  Spaniards  were  desperate.  Whichever 
way  they  turned  they  were  menaced  by  the  most  ap- 
palling dangers.     And  better  was  it  to  confront  the 


96 


DE   SOTO. 


danger,  than  weakly  to  shrink  from  it  when  there 
was  no  avenue  for  escape.  To  fly  was  now  too  late. 
Whither  could  they  fly  }  At  the  first  signal  of  retreat 
the  whole  army  of  the  Inca  would  be  upon  them. 
Their  movements  would  be  anticipated  by  a  foe  far 
better  acquainted  with  the  intricacies  of  the  Sierra 
than  themselves  ;  the  passes  would  be  occupied,  and 
they  would  be  hemmed  in  on  all  sides  ;  while  the 
mere  fact  of  this  retrograde  movement  would  dimin- 
ish the  confidence  and  with  it  the  effective  strength 
of  his  own  men,  while  it  doubled  that  of  the  enemy." 

The  next  morning  was  Saturday,  the  i6th  of  No- 
vember, 1532.  The  sun  rose  in  a  cloudless  sky,  and 
great  preparations  were  made  by  the  Inca  to  display 
his  grandeur  and  his  power  to  his  not  very  welcome 
guests.  A  large  retinue  preceded  and  followed  the 
monarch,  while  a  courier  was  sent  forward  to  inform 
Pizarro  of  his  approach.  The  Inca,  habited  in  a  dress 
which  was  glittering  with  gems  and  gold,  was  seated 
in  a  gorgeous  open  palanquin,  borne  upon  the  shoul- 
ders of  many  of  his  nobles.  * 

It  was  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  the 
Inca,  accompanied  by  a  small  but  unarmed  retinue, 
entered  the  public  square  of  the  city.  The  tents  of 
his  troops  left  outside,  spread  far  and  wide  over  the 
meadows,  indicating  the  presence  of  an  immense 
host.     The  Inca  was  clothed  in  a  flowing  robe  of 


THE    ATROCITIES    OF    PIZARRO. 


97 


scarlet,  woven  of  the  finest  wool,  and  almost  entirely 
covered  with  golden  stars  and  the  most  precious 
gems.  His  head  was  covered  with  a  turban  of  varie- 
gated colors,  to  which  there  was  suspended  a  scarlet 
fringe,  the  badge  of  royalty.  The  palanquin,  or 
throne,  on  which  he  was  seated,  was  apparently  of 
pure  gold  ;  and  the  cushion  upon  which  he  sat  v:.., 
covered  with  the  mc  t  costly  gems.  .His  nobles  were 
also  dres.sed  in  the  highest  possible  style  of  Peruvinn 
wealth  and  art.  It  was  estimated  that  the  number 
of  the  nobles  and  officers  of  the  court  who  accompa- 
nied the  king  into  the  square,  was  about  two  thou- 
sand. A  large  company  of  priests  was  also  in  attend- 
ance, who  chanted  the  Peruvian  National  Hymn. 

It  is  very  difficult  for  an  honest  mind  to  form  any 
just  conception  of  such  a  religious  fanatic,  and  such 
an  irreligious  wretch  as  this  Francisco  Pizarro.  Just 
before  the  Peruvians  arrived  he  had  attended  a  sol- 
emn mass,  in  which  the  aid  of  the  God  of  the  Chris- 
tians was  fervently  implored  in  behalf  of  their  enter- 
prise. The  mass  was  closed  with  chanting  one  of 
the  psalms  of  David,  in  which  God  is  called  upon  to 
arise  and  come  to  judgment.  Friar  Vinc'^nt,  who 
was  Pizarro's  spiritual  adviser,  and  grand  chaplain  of 
the  so-called  Christian  army,  was  then  sent  forward 
with  the  Bible  in  one  hand  and  a  crucifix  in  the  other, 
to  expound  to  the  Inca  the  doctrines  of  the  Christian 


98 


DE    SOTO. 


faith,  stating  that  it  was  for  that  purpose,  and  for  that 
only,  that  the  Spaniards  had  come  into  the  country. 

Sr>  far  as  we  can  judge  from  the  uncertain  records 
which  have  reached  us,  the  views  he  presented  were 
what  arc  called  evangelical,  though  highly  imbued 
with  the  claims  of  the  Papal  Church.  He  described 
the  creation  of  man,  his  fall,  the  atonement  by  the 
crucifixion  of  the  Son  of  God,  his  ascension,  leaving 
Peter  and  his  successors,  as  his  vicegerents  upon 
earth.  Invested  with  this  divine  power,  one  of  his 
succcHHors,  the  present  Pope,  had  commissioned 
J'izarro  to  visit  Peru,  to  conquer  and  convert  the 
natives  to  the  true  faith. 

The  Inca  listened  attentively  to  the  arguments  of 
the  priest,  but  was  apparently  unmoved  by  them. 
He  calmly  replied  : 

"  I  acknowledge  that  there  is  but  one  God,  the 
maker  (jf  all  things.  As  for  the  Pope,  I  know  him 
not.  He  must  be  insane  to  give  away  that  which 
does  not  belong  to  him.  The  king  of  Spain  is  doubt- 
less a  great  monarch,  and  I  wish  to  make  him  my 
friend,  but  I  cannot  become  his  vassal." 

A  few  more  words  were  interchanged,  when  the 
priest  returned  into  the  stone  fortress,  where  Pizarro 
hUhk\  surrounded  by  his  soldiers.  The  priest  reported 
the  conversation  which  had  taken  place  ;  declared 
that  the  Inca,  in  the  pride  of  his  heart,  had  rejected 


THE    ATROCITIES    OF    PIZARRO. 


99 


Christianity.  He  therefore  announced  to  Pizarro 
that  he  was  authorized  by  the  divine  law,  to  make 
war  upon  the  Inca  and  his  people. 

"  Go  set  on  them  at  once,"  said  he  ;  "  spare  them 
not ;  kill  these  dogs  which  so  stubbornly  despise  the 
law  of  God.     I  absolve  you." 

The  extraordinary  scene  which  then  ensued  can- 
not perhaps  be  better  described  than  in  the  language 
of  Mr.  Prescott : 

"  Pizarro  saw  that  the  hour  had  come.  He  waved 
a  white  scarf  in  the  air,  the  appointed  signal.  The 
fatal  gun  was  fired  from  the  fortress.  Then  spring- 
ing into  the  square,  the  Spanish  captain  and  his  fol- 
lowers shouted  the  old  war  cry  of  '  St.  Jago,  and  at 
them  !'  It  was  answered  by  the  battle  cry  of  every 
Spaniard  in  the  city,  as  rushing  from  the  avenues  of 
the  great  halls  in  which  they  were  concealed,  they 
poured  into  the  Plaza,  horse  and  foot,  and  threw 
themselves  into  the  midst  of  the  Indian  crowd, 

"  The  latter,  taken  by  surprise,  stunned  by  the 
reports  of  artillery  nnd  musketry,  the  echoes  of  which 
reverberated  like  thunder  from  the  surrounding  build- 
ings, and  blinded  by  the  smoke  which  rolled  in  sul- 
phurous volumes  along  the  square,  were  seized  with 
a  panic.  They  knew  not  whither  to  fly  for  refuge 
from  the  coming  ruin.  Nobles  and  commoners  all 
were  trampled  down  under  the  fierce  charge  of  the 


ICX) 


DE    SOTO. 


cavalry,  who  dealt  their  blows  right  aiul  left,  without 
sparing  ;  while  their  swords,  flashing  through  the 
thick  gloom,  carried  dismay  into  the  heartn  of  the 
wretched  natives,  who  now,  for  the  first  time,  Maw  the 
horse  and  his  rider  in  all  their  terrors.  They  made 
no  resistance,  as  indeed  they  had  no  wcaponH  with 
which  to  resist. 

"  Every  avenue  to  escape  was  closed,  fur  the 
entrance  to  the  square  was  choked  up  with  the  dead 
bodies  of  men  who  had  perished  in  vain  effortM  to  fly. 
And  such  was  the  agony  of  the  survivorn,  under  the 
terrible  pressure  of  their  assailants,  that  a  large  body 
of  Indians,  by  their  convulsive  striiggleH,  btirst 
through  the  wall  of  stone  and  dried  eluy,  which 
formed  the  boundary  of  the  Plaza.  It  fell,  leaving  an 
opening  of  more  than  a  hundred  paceH,  through 
which  multitudes  now  found  their  way  into  the  coun- 
try, still  hotly  pursued  by  the  cavalry,  who,  leaping 
the  piles  of  rubbish,  hung  on  the  rear  of  the  fugitives, 
striking  them  down  in  all  directions." 

"  There  were  two  great  objects  in  view  in  thin  mas- 
sacre. One  was  to  strike  terror  into  the  heart  of 
the  Peruvians  ;  the  other  was  to  obtain  poMHCHHion 
of  the  person  of  the  Inca.  It  seems  that  the  nobles 
regarded  their  sovereign  with  almost  idolatrous  hom- 
age. They  rallied  thickly  around  him,  placed  their 
own   bodies   between   him   and  the  sabre.s  of  their 


THE    ATROCITIES    OF   PIZARRO. 


lOI 


assailants,  and  made  frantic  endeavors  to  tear  the 
cavaliers  from  their  saddles.  Unfortunately  they 
were  unarmed,  and  had  neither  arrows,  javelins  nor 
war  clubs.  The  Inca  sat  helpless  in  his  palan- 
quin, quite  bewildered  by  the  awful  storm  of  war 
which  had  thus  suddenly  burst  around  him.  In  the 
swaying  of  the  mighty  mass,  the  litter  heaved  to  and 
fro,  like  a  ship  in  a  storm." 

At  length  several  of  the  nobles  who  sup- 
poited  it  being  slain,  the  palanquin  was  over- 
thrown, and  the  Inca,  as  he  was  falling  to  the 
ground,  was  caught  by  the  Spaniards.  In  the 
confusion  of  the  affray,  Pizarro  was  slightly  wounded 
in  the  hand  by  one  of  his  own  men.  This  was  the 
only  hurt  received  by  any  Spaniard  during  the  bloody 
affray. 

The  Inca  being  captured,  the  conflict  in  the 
square  ceased.  But  there  was  another  object  in 
view,  as  has  been  stated,  and  that  was  to  strike  ter- 
ror into  the  hearts  of  the  Peruvians.  Consequently 
the  steel-clad  cavaliers  pursued  the  fugitives  in  all 
directions,  cutting  them  down  without  mercy.  Night, 
which  followed  the  short  twilight  of  the  tropics,  put  an 
end  to  the  carnage,  and  the  trumpets  of  Pizarro 
recalled  the  soldiers,  wiping  their  dripping  sabres,  to 
their  fortress.  The  number  slain  is  variously  esti- 
mated.    The  secretary  of  Pizarro  says  that  two  thou- 


102 


DE  SOTO. 


sand  fell.     A  Peruvian  annalist  swells  the  number  of 
victims  to  ten  thousand. 

Attahuallapa,  the  monarch  of  the  great  kingdom 
of  Peru,  thus  suddenly  found  himself  a  prisoner  in 
one  of  his  own  fortresses  ;  surrounded  by  a  band  of 
stern  warriors,  who  had  penetrated  the  heart  of  his 
empire  from  a  distance  of  more  than  two  thousand 
leagues.  ^izarro  treated  the  unhappy  king  with 
respect,  and  testifies  to  the  dignity  with  which  he 
met  his  awful  reverses.  What  part  De  Soto  took  in 
the  outrages  just  described,  cannot  now  be  known. 
He  had  unquestionably  in  good  faith,  and  as  an  hon- 
orable man,  invited  the  Inca  to  visit  Caxamarca,  by 
which  invitation  he  had  been  enticed  into  the  power 
of  the  Spaniards.  • 

There  is  evidence  that  De  Soto  had  no  idea  of 
the  treachery  which  was  intended,  for  it  was  not 
until  after  he  had  left  on  his  visit  to  the  Peruvian 
camp  that  the  plot  was  formed  for  the  seizure  of  the 
Inca.  Pizarro  had  two  bodies  of  horsemen.  One 
was  commanded  by  his  brother  Hernando,  and  the 
other  by  De  Soto.  There  were  thirty  dragoons  in 
each  band.  Unquestionably,  Hernando  was  a  very 
eager  participant  in  the  horrors  of  this  day.  It  may 
be  that  De  Soto,  from  the  roof  of  the  fortress,  was  an 
inactive  spectator  of  the  scene.  It  does  not  seem 
possible  that  with  the  character  he  had  heretofore 


THE    ATROCITIES    OF    TIZARRO. 


103 


developed,  he  could  have  lent  his  own  strong  arm  and 
those  of  his  horsemen  to  the  perpetration  of  a  crime 
so  atrocious.  Still  military  discipline  is  a  terrible 
power.  It  sears  the  conscience  and  hardens  the 
heart.  The  fact  that  De  Soto  was  present  and  that 
there  are  no  evidences  of  remonstrances  on  his  part, 
has  left  a  stigma  upon  his  character  which  time  can- 
not efface. 

The  next  morning  these  Spaniards,  so  zealous  for 
the  propagation  of  the  Christian  faith,  unmindful  of 
their  professed  Christian  mission,  betook  themselves, 
with  all  alacrity,  to  the  work  of  pillage.  The  golden 
throne,  and  the  royal  wardrobe,  were  of  very  great 
value.  The  nobles  were  clad  in  their  richest  gar- 
ments of  state,  and  the  ground  was  strewn  with 
bodies  of- the  dead,  glittering  in  robes  of  gold  and 
gems.  Having  stripped  the  dead,  they  then  entered 
the  houses  and  temples  of  Caxamarca  and  loaded 
themselves  r^own  with  golden  vases,  and  other  booty 
of  great  value.  As  one  suggestive  item,  which 
reveals  the  conduct  of  these  brutal  men,  the  good 
Las  Casas  states,  that  a  Spanish  soldier  seized  a 
young  Peruvian  girl.  When  the  mother  rushed  to 
rescue  her  child,  he  cut  off  her  arm  with  his  sword, 
and  then  in  his  rage  hewed  the  maiden  to  pieces. 

Pizarro  now  assumed  the  proud  title  of  "  The  Con- 
queror of  Peru."    With  the  sovereign  as  his  prisoner, 


104 


DE    SOTO. 


and  elated  by  his  great  victory,  he  felt  that  there  was 
no  resistance  that  he  had  to  fear.  It  seems  that 
Attahuallapa  had  penetration  enough  to  discern  that 
De  Soto  was  a  very  different  man  in  character  from 
the  Pizarros.  He  soon  became  quite  cordial  and 
unreserved  in  his  intercourse  with  him.  And  there 
is  no  evidence  that  De  Soto  ever,  in  the  slightest 
degree,  betrayed  his  confidence.  One  day  the  Inca 
inquired  of  De  Soto  for  what  amount  of  ransom 
Pizarro  would  be  willing  to  release  him.  De  Soto 
was  well  aware  of  the  timidity  and  avarice  of  the  cap- 
tain. The  love  of  the  Peruvians  for  their  sovereign 
was  such,  that  Pizarro  was  confident  that  so  long  as 
Attahuallapa  was  in  his  power,  they  would  not  make 
war  upon  him.  De  Soto  felt  therefore  that  there  was 
no  prospect  that  Pizarro  would  release  his  captive  for 
any  ransom  whatever,  and  sadly  advised  him  to  resign 
all  such  hope.  The  Inca  was  greatly  distressed. 
After  a  few  moments  of  silence,  he  said  : 

"  My  friend,  do  not  deprive  me  of  the  only  hope  that 
can  make  life  supportable.  I  must  be  free,  or  I  must 
die.  Your  commander  loves  gold  above  all  things. 
Surely  I  can  purchase  my  liberty  from  him  at  some 
price,  and  however  unreasonable  it  may  be,  I  am 
willing  to  satisfy  his  demand.  Tell  me,  I  entreat  of 
you,  what  sum  you  think  will  be  sufficient  ? " 

For  a  moment  De  Soto  made    no  reply.     They 


THE    ATR(JCrnKS    of    I'IZARRO. 


105 


were  sitting  in  a  room,  according  to  the  statement  of 
Pizarro's  secretary,  twenty-two  feet  long  and  seven- 
teen feet  broad.  Then  turning  to  the  Inca,  and  wish- 
ing to  impress  his  mind  with  the  conviction  that 
there  was  not  any  ransom  which  could  effect  his 
release,  he  said  : 

"  If  you  could  fill  this  room  with  gold  as  high  as  I 
can  reach  with  my  sword,  Pizarro  might  perhaps 
accept  it  as  your  ransom," 

"  It  shall  be  done,"  the  Inca  eagerly  replied. 
"  And  I  beg  you  to  let  Pizarro  know,  that  within  a 
month  from  this  day,  my  part  of  the  contract  shall  be 
fulfilled." 

De  Soto  was  t'-oubled,  for  he  had  not  intended 
that  as  an  offer,  but  rather  as  a  statement  of  an 
impossibility.  He  however  felt  bound  to  report  the 
proposition  to  Pizarro.  Much  to  his  surprise  the  ava- 
ricious captain  readily  accepted  it.  The  contract  was 
drawn  up,  and  Pizarro  gave  Wis  solemn  pledge  that  upon 
the  delivery  of  the  gold  the  prison  doors  of  the  captive 
should  be  thrown  open,  liut  after  the  terms  had  all 
been  settled,  the  perfidious  Spaniard  craved  a  still 
higher  ransom,  and  declared  that  he  would  not  release 
his  vi:tim  unless  another  room  of  equal  size  was 
equally  filled  with  silver. 

Attahuallapa  could  fully  appreciate  such  dishon- 
orable conduct ;  for  in  all  moral  qualities  he  seems 
5* 


io6 


DE    SOTO. 


to  have  been  decidedly  superior  to  his  Spanish  antag- 
onist. But  without  any  undignified  murmurs,  he 
submitted  to  this  extortion  also.  Matters  being  thus 
arranged,  De  Solo,  with  his  characteristic  plain  deal- 
ing, said  to  Pizarro. 

"  I  hope  you  will  remember,  Don  Francisco,  that 
my  honor  is  pledged  for  the  strict  fulfilment  of  the 
contract  on  the  part  of  the  Spaniards.  Observe, 
therefore,  that  as  soon  as  the  gold  and  the  silver  are 
produced,  Attahuallapa  must  have  his  liberty." 


CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Execution  of  the  Inca,  ana  Embarrassments  of 

De  Soto, 


Pledges  of  Pizarro. — His  Perfidy. — False  Mission  of  De  Soto. — Exe« 
cution  of  the  Inca. — His  Fortitude. — Indignation  of  De  Soto. — • 
Great  Embarrassments. — Extenuating  Considerations. — Arrival  of 
Almagro. — March  Towards  the  Capital. 

Pizarro  gave  his  most  solemn  pledges,  on  his 
Christian  faith,  that  so  soon  as  the  money  was  paid 
the  Inca  should  be  released.  The  idea  does  not  seem 
to  have  entered  the  mind  of  Attahuallapa  that  Pizarro 
could  be  guilty  of  the  perfidy  of  violating  those 
pledges.  The  unhappy  condition  of  the  Inca  excited 
the  strong  sympathies  of  De  Soto.  He  visited  him 
often,  and  having  a  natural  facility  for  the  acquisition 
of  language,  was  soon  able  to  converse  with  the  cap- 
tive in  his  own  tongue.  Quite  a  friendship,  founded 
on  mutual  esteem,  sprang  up  between  them.  By  his 
strong  intercession,  Pizarro  was  constrained  to  con- 
sent that  the  gold  should  not  be  melted  into  ingots, 
thus  to  fill  the  designated  space  with  its  solid  bulk, 
but  that  it  should  be  received  and  packed  away  in 
the  form  of  vases,  and  ornaments,  and  other  manu- 
factured articles,  as  brought  in  by  the  Peruvians. 


io8 


DE    SOTO. 


Several  of  the  principal  officers  of  Attahuallapa's 
court  were  sent  to  Cuzco,  the  capital  of  the  empire, 
where  the  main  treasures  of  the  kingdom  were  depos- 
ited. Three  Spaniards  accompanied  these  officers. 
The  Inca  issued  his  orders  that  they  should  be 
treated  with  respect.  The  people  obeyed  ;  for  they 
knew  that  any  injury  or  insult  befalling  the  Span- 
iards would  bring  down  terrible  retribution  upon 
their  beloved  sovereign.  Peruvian  agents  were  also 
dispatched  to  all  the  temples  to  strip  them  of  their 
ornaments,  and  to  the  homes  of  the  nobility  to 
receive  the  plate  and  golden  decorations  which  were 
eagerly  contributed  as  ransom  for  the  king.  The 
cornices  and  entablatures  of  the  temples  were  often 
of  solid  gold,  and  massive  plates  of  gold  encrusted 
the  walls.  For  several  weeks  there  seemed  to  be  a 
constant  procession  of  Peruvians  entering  the  for- 
tress, laden  with  golden  vases  and  innumerable  other 
utensils,  often  of  exquisite  workmanship. 

Within  the  allotted  time  the  ransom,  enormous  as 
it  was,  was  all  brought  in.  It  is  estimated  that  its 
value  was  equal  to  about  twenty  million  dollars  of  our 
money.  The  Inca  now  demanded  his  release.  The 
infamous  Pizarro  had  perhaps  originally  intended  to 
set  him  at  liberty.  But  he  had  now  come  to  the  con- 
clusion that  the  Inca  might  immediately  rally  around 
him,  not  only  his  whole  army,  but  the  whole  popula- 


EXECUTION    01--    THE    INCA. 


109 


tion  of  the  kingdom,  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  Span- 
iards, exterminate  them,  and  win  back  all  the  plun- 
der so  unrighteously  extorted.  Pizarro  was  conse- 
quently plotting  for  some  plausible  excuse  for  putting 
the  monarch  to  death.  The  Peruvians  thus  deprived 
of  their  sovereign,  and  in  a  state  of  bewilderment, 
would  be  thrown  into  anarchy,  and  the  Spaniards 
would  have  a  much  better  chance  of  obtaining  entire 
possession  of  the  kingdom. 

Pizarro  did  not  dare  to  reveal  to  De  Soto  his  trea- 
sonable designs.  He  feared  not  only  his  reproaches, 
but  his  determined  and  very  formidable  resistance. 
He  therefore  gave  it  as  an  excuse  for  postponing  the 
liberation  of  the  Inca,  that  he  must  wait  until  he  had 
made  a  division  of  the  spoils.  The  distribution  was 
performed  with  imposing  religious  ceremonies.  Mass 
was  celebrated,  and  earnest  prayers  were  addressed 
to  Heaven  that  the  work  might  be  so  performed  as 
to  meet  the  approbation  of  God.  A  fifth  part  of  the 
plunder  was  set  apart  for  the  king  of  Spain,  the 
Emperor,  Charles  the  Fifth.  Pizarro,  as  commander 
of  the  expedition,  came  next,  and  his  share  amounted 
to  millions.  De  Soto  was  defrauded,  not  receiving 
half  so  much  as  Hernando  Pizarro.  Still,  his  share 
in  this  distribution  and  in  another  which  soon  took 
place,  amounted  to  over  five  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars.    This  was  an  enormous  sum  in  those  days.     It 


no 


DE    SOTO. 


elevated  him  at  once,  in  point  of  opulence,  to  the 
rank  of  the  proudest  grandees  of  Spain. 

The  great  object  of  De  Soto's  ambition  was  ac- 
complished. He  had  acquired  fame  and  wealth  be- 
yond his  most  sanguine  expectations.  Thus  he  was 
prepared  to  return  to  Spain  and  demand  the  hand  of 
Isabella.  But  his  generous  nature  was  troubled. 
He  became  very  anxious  for  the  fate  of  the  Inca. 
His  own  honor  was  involved  in  his  release,  and  day 
after  day  he  became  more  importunate  in  his  expostu- 
lations with  Pizarro. 

"  Whatever  the  consequences  may  be,"  said  De 
Soto,  "  the  Inca  must  now  be  immediately  set  at  lib- 
erty. He  has  your  promise  to  that  effect  and  he  has 
mine ;  and  my  promise,  come  what  will,  shall  not  be 
violated." 

Pizarro  urged,  in  view  of  their  peril,  the  delay  of  a 
few  weeks.     De  Soto  replied  : 

"  Not  a  single  week,  not  a  day  ;  if  you  do  not  lib- 
erate the  prisoner,  I  will  take  that  liberty  on  myself." 

"  To  give  him  his  freedom  at  this  time,"  Pizarro 
replied,  "  would  be  certain  destruction  to  us  all." 

"  That  may  be,"  responded  De  Soto,  "  but  that 
should  have  been  considered  before  he  was  admitted* 
to  ransom." 

"But  since  that  agreement  was  made,"  said  Pi- 
zarro, "  I  have  received  .information  which  justifies  me 


EXECUTION    OF    THE    INCA. 


Ill 


in  changing  my  intentions,  Attahuallapa's  officers, 
acting  under  his  directions,  are  now  engaged  in  excit- 
ing an  insurrection  for  the  extermination  of  the 
Spaniards." 

De  Soto  had  no  faith  whatever  in  this  accusation. 
There  was  a  long  and  angry  controversy.  Pizarro 
called  in  his  inteq^reter  Filipillo,  who  was  undoubt- 
edly bribed  to  testify  according  to  the  wishes  of  his 
master.  He  declared  that  the  Inca  was  organizing 
this  conspiracy.  De  Soto  was  unconvinced.  He 
still  regarded  the  accusation  as  a  groundless  cal- 
umny. 

Finally  they  came  to  a  compromise.  The  treach- 
erous and  wily  Pizarro  suggested  that  De  Soto  should 
take  a  party  of  dragoons  and  proceed  to  that  section 
of  the  country,  where  it  was  said  the  conspirators 
were  assembling  in  vast  numbers,  in  preparation  for 
their  onset  upon  the  Spaniards.  If  De  Soto  found 
no  indication  of  such  a  movement,  Pizarro  gave  his 
solemn  pledge,  that  immediately  upon  his  return,  he 
would  release  Attahuallapa.  De  Soto  agreed  to  the 
arrangement,  and  at  once  set  out  on  the  journey.  '     < 

Pizarro  had  thus  accomplished  his  object,  of  be- 
ing relieved  of  the  embarrassment  of  De  Soto's  pres- 
ence, while  he  should  lead  the  Inca  to  his  execution. 
A  sort  of  council  of  war  was  held,  though  Attahu- 
allapa was  not  present,  and  nothing  was  heard  in  his 


112 


DE    SOTO. 


defence.  It  was  necessary  to  proceed  with  the  ut- 
most expedition,  as  De  Soto  would  soon  return. 
The  horrible  verdict  of  the  court  was,  that  the  captive 
Bhould  be  burned  to  death  at  the  stake.  Pizarro 
hiniHclf,  it  is  said,  carried  the  terrible  intelligence  to 
the  prisoner. 

The  Inca,  a  young  man  in  the  very  prime  of  life, 
beinj^  but  thirty  years  of  age,  was  horror  stricken,  and 
for  some  time  sat  in  silence,  not  uttering  a  word. 
And  then  turning  to  Pizarro,  he  said  : 

"  In  it  possible  that  you  can  believe  in  a  God  and 
fear  him,  and  yet  dare  to  commit  such  an  act  of  injus- 
tice ?  What  have  I  done  to  deserve  death  in  anv 
form,  and  why  have  you  condemned  me  to  a  death 
80  unusual  and  painful.  Surely  you  cannot  intend  to 
execute  this  cruel  sentence." 

Pizarro  assured  him  that  the  decree  of  the  court 
was  unalterable,  and  must  immediately  be  carried 
into  effect. 

"  Think  of  the  wrong  you  have  already  done  me," 
said  the  Inca,  "  and  do  not  forget  how  much  you  are 
indebted  to  my  kindness  and  forbearance.  I  could 
easily  have  intercepted  you  in  the  mountain  passes, 
and  made  you  all  prisoners,  or  sacrificed  you  all  justly 
to  the  offended  laws  of  my  country.  I  could  have 
overpowered  you  with  my  armed  warriors  at  Caxa- 
marca.     But  I  failed  in   my  duty  to  my  people  in 


EXECUTION    OF    THE    INCA. 


113 


receiving  you  as  friends.  You  have  rcbbed  me  of 
my  kingdom  and  compelled  me  to  insult  my  Deity, 
by  stripping  his  temples  to  satisfy  your  avarice. 

"  Of  all  my  possessions,  you  have  left  me  nothing 
but  my  life,  and  that  I  supposed  you  would  be  willing 
to  spare  me,  since  you  can  gain  nothing  by  taking  it 
away.  Consider  how  hard  it  is  for  me  to  die,  so  sud- 
denly and  without  any  warning  of  my  danger.  I  have 
lived  but  thirty  years,  and  until  very  lately,  I  had 
every  reason  to  hope  for  a  long  and  happy  life.  My 
prospects  for  happiness  are  blighted  forever.  But  I 
will  not  complain  of  that,  if  you  will  permit  me  to 
live  out  the  term  which  God  and  nature  have  allot- 
ted me." 

The  execution  was  to  take  place  immediately. 
Pizarro  waited  only  for  che  sun  to  go  down,  that  dark- 
ness might  shroud  the  nend-like  deed.  As  they  were 
talking  Pizarro's  chaplain.  Friar  Vincent,  came  in  to 
prepare  the  victim  for  the  sacrifice.  He  was  dressed 
in  his  ecclesiastical  robes,  and  bore  in  his  hand  a 
large  crucifix.  Was  he  an  unmitigated  knave,  or  was 
he  a  fanatic  ?     Who  but  God  can  tell. 

"  It  is  time  for  you,"  said  he,  "  to  withdraw  your 
thoughts  from  earthly  vanities  and  fix  them  upon  the 
realities  of  the  eternal  world.  You  are  justly  con- 
demned to  death,  for  your  infidelity  and  other  sins. 
I  call  on  you  to  accept  the  free  gift  of  salvation  which 


114 


DE    SOTO. 


I  now  offer  you,  so  that  you  may  escape  the  greater 
punishment  of  eternal  fire."  i 

The  Inca  seemed  to  pay  little  heed  io  these 
words,  but  with  a  gesture  of  impatience  and  anger, 
exclaimed : 

"  Oh,  where  is  De  Soto  ?  He  is  a  i^ood  man,  and 
he  is  my  friend.  Surely  he  will  not  allow  me  to  be 
thus  murdered." 

. "  De  Soto,"  the  priest  replied,  "  is  far  away.  No 
earthly  help  can  avail  you.  Receive  the  connolations 
of  the  Church  ;  kiss  the  feet  of  this  image,  and  i  will 
absolve  you  from  your  sins,  and  prepare  you  to  enter 
the  kingdom  of  Heaven." 

"  I  worship  the  Maker  of  all  things,"  the  Inca 
firmly  replied.  "As  much  as  I  d'^sire  to  live,  t  will 
not  forsake  the  faith  of  my  fath(  rs  to  prolong  my 
life." 

Two  hours  after  sunset,  the  sound  of  the  trumpet 
assembled  the  Spanish  soldiers  by  torchlight  in  the 
great  square  of  Caxamarca.  It  was  the  evening  of 
the  twenty-ninth  of  August,  1533.  The  clanking 
of  chains  was  heard  as  the  victim,  manacled  liand  and 
foot,  toiled  painfully  over  the  stone  pavement  of  the 
square.  He  was  bound  by  chains  to  the  Htnke ; 
the  combustible  fagots  were  pi  ed  up  around  him. 
Friar  Vincent  then,  it  is  said,  holding  up  the  cross 
before  the  victim,  told  him  that  if  he  would  embrace 


EXECUTION    OF    THE    INCA. 


"5 


Christianity  he  should  be  spared  the  cruel  death  by 
the  flames,  and  experience  in  its  stead  only  the  pain- 
less death  of  the  garotte,  and  that  the  Inca  did,  while 
thus  chained  to  the  stake,  abjure  his  religion  and 
receive  the  rite  of  baptism.  In  reference  to  this  rep- 
resentation Mr.  Lambert  A.  Wilmer,  in  his  admira- 
ble life  of  Ferdinand  De  Soto,  says  : 

"  As  the  traducers  of  the  dead  Inca  were  permit- 
ted to  tell  their  own  story  without  fear  of  contradic- 
tion, it  is  impossible  to  assign  any  limits  to  their 
fabrications.  And  their  testimony  is  probable,  only 
when  it  tends  to  criminate  themselves.  Perhaps  the 
greatest  injustice  v/hich  these  slanderers  have  done 
to  Attahuallapa's  memory,  was  by  pretending  that  he 
became  an  apostate  to  his  own  religion  and  a  convert 
to  Catholicism  just  before  his  death. 

"If  this  story  were  true,  how  could  Pizarro  justify 
himself,  or  how  could  the  Pope  and  the  king  of  Spain 
excuse  him  for  putting  a  Christian  to  death  on  account 
of  sins  committed  by  an  infidel.  Surely  the  royal 
penitent,  when  he  entered  the  pale  of  the  Holy  Cath- 
olic Church,  would  be  entitled  to  a  free  pardon  for 
those  errors  of  conduct  v^  ich  were  incidental  to  his 
unregenerate  condition.  We  are  told  that  when  the 
Inca  had  consented  to  be  baptized  by  Father  Vin- 
cent, Pizarro  graciously  commuted  his  sentence,  and 
allowed  him  to   be  strangled   before   his  body  was 


ii6 


DE    SOTO. 


11!, 
til 

m 


reduced  to  ashes."  These  fictions  were  doubtless 
contrived  to  illustrate  Pizarro's  clemency,  and  Father 
Vincent's  apostolic  success. 

The  probability  ic,  as  others  state,  that  the  Inca 
remained  firm  to  the  end  ;  the  torch  was  applied,  and 
while  the  consuming  flames  wreathed  around  him,  he 
uttered  no  cry.  In  this  chariot  of  fire  the  spirit  of 
this  deeply  outraged  man  was  borne  to  the  judgment 
of  God. 

De  Soto  soon  returned.  He  was  almost  frantic 
with  indignation  when  he  learned  of  the  crime  which 
had  been  perpetrated  in  his  absence,  and  perceived 
that  his  mission  was  merely  an  artifice  to  get  him  out 
of  the  way.  His  rage  blazed  forth  in  the  most  vio- 
lent reproaches.  Hastening  to  the  tent  of  Pizarro, 
he  rudely  pushed  aside  a  sentinel  who  guarded  the 
entrance,  and  found  the  culprit  seated  on  a  low  stool, 
affecting  the  attitude  of  a  mourner.  A  large  slouched 
hat  was  bent  over  his  eyes. 

"  Uncover  yourself;"  said  De  Soto,  "  unless  you 
are  ashamed  to  look  a  human  being  in  the  face." 
Then  with  the  point  of  his  sword  he  struck  off  his 
J:i3t,  exclaiming : 

"Is  it  not  enough  that.  I  have  disgraced  myself 
in  the  eyes  of  the  world  by  becoming  your  compan- 
ion and  confederate,  making  myself  accessory  to  your 
crimes,  and  protecting  you  from  the  punishment  you 


EXECUTION    OF    THE    INCA. 


I!/ 


deserve.  Have  you  not  heaped  infamy  enough  upon 
me,  without  dishonoring  me  by  the  violation  of  my 
pledges,  and  exposing  me  to  the  suspicion  of  being 
connected  with  the  most  cruel  and  causeless  murder 
that  ever  set  human  laws  and  divine  justice  at  defi- 
ance ?  I  have  ascertained,  what  you  well  knew  before 
I  left  Caxamarca,  that  the  report  of  the  insurrection 
was  ulterly  false.  I  have  met  nothing  on  the  road 
but  demonstrations  of  good  will.  The  whole  country 
is  quiet,  and  Attahuallapa  has  been  basely  slandered. 
You,  Francisco  Pizarro,  are  his  slanderer,  and  you 
are  his  murderer. 

"  To  prove  that  I  have  had  no  participation  in  the 
deed,  I  will  make  you  accountable  for  his  death. 
Craven  and  prevaricating  villain  as  you  are,  you  shall 
not  escape  this  responsibility.  If  you  refuse  to  meet 
me  in  honorable  combat,  I  will  denounce  you  to  the 
king  of  Spain  as  a  criminal,  and  vvill  proclaim  you  to 
the  whole  world  as  a  coward  and  an  assassin." 

Pizarro  was  both,  an  assassin  and  a  coward.  He 
stood  in  awe  of  his  intrepid  lieutenant.  He  did  not 
dare  to  meet  him  in  a  personal  rencontre,  and  he 
well  knew  that  De  Soto  was  not  a  man  to  be  taken 
by  force  or  guile,  as  he  could  immediately  rally  around 
him  the  whole  body  of  his  well  drilled-dragoons.  He 
therefore  began  to  make  excuses,  admitted  that  he 
had  acted  hastily,  and  endeavored  to  throw  the  blame 


ii8 


DE    SOTO. 


upon  others,  declaring  that  by  their  false  representa- 
tions they  had  forced  him  to  the  act. 

In  the  midst  of  the  dispute,  Pizarro's  brothers — 
for  there  were  two  in  the  camp — entered  the  tent. 
De  Soto,  addressing  the  three,  said  : 

"  I  am  the  champion  of  Attahuallapa.  I  accuse 
Francisco  Pizarro  of  being  his  murderer."  Then 
throwing  his  glove  upon  the  floor,  he  continued  : 

"  I  invite  any  man  who  is  disposed  to  deny  that 
Francisco  Pizarro  is  a  coward  and  an  assassin,  to  take 
itup." 

The  gauge  remained  untouched.  De  Soto  turned 
upon  his  heel  contemptuously,  and  left  the  tent, 
resolved,  it  is  said,  no  longer  to  have  any  connection 
whatever  with  such  perfidious  wretches.  He  imme- 
diately resigned  his  commission  as  lieutenant-general 
and  announced  his  determination  to  return  to  Spain. 
But  alas,  for  human  frailty  and  inconsistency,  he  was 
lo  take  with  him  the  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  of 
treasure  of  which  the  Peruvians  had  been  ruthlessly 
despoiled.     Perhaps  he  reasoned  with  himself, 

"  What  can  I  do  with  it.  The  Inca  is  dead.  It 
would  not  be  wise  to  throw  it  into  the  streets,  and 
I  surely  am  not  bound  to  contribute  it  to  the  already 
enormous  wealth  of  Pizarro." 

Another  source  of  embarrassment  arose.  Rein- 
forcements to  the  number  of  two  hundred  men  had  just 


EXECUTION    OF    THE    INC  A. 


119 


arrived  at  Caxamarca,  under  Almagro.  They  had  been 
sent  forward  from  Panama,  commissioned  by  the  king 
of  Spain  to  join  the  enterprise.  The  whole  num- 
ber of  Spanish  soldiers,  assembled  in  the  heart  of  the 
Peruvian  empire,  now  amounted  to  about  five  hun- 
dred. Mountain  ridges  rose  between  them  and  the 
b'^a-coast,  in  whose  almost  impassable  defiles  a  few 
hundred  resolute  men  might  arrest  the  advance  of  an 
army.  The  Peruvians  had  a  standing  force  of  fifty 
thousand  soldiers.  The  whole  population  of  the 
country  was  roused  to  the  highest  pitch  of  indigna- 
tion. They  were  everywhere  grasping  their  arms. 
Nothing  but  the  most  consummate  prudence  could 
rescue  the  Spaniards  from  their  perilous  position. 
The  danger  was  imminent,  that  they  would  be  utterly 
exterminated.  / 

For  De  Soto,  under  these  circumstances,  to  aban- 
don his  comrades,  and  retire  from  the  field,  would 
seem  an  act  of  cowardice.  I  le  had  no  confidence  in 
the  ability  of  the  Pizarros  to  rescue  the  Spaniards. 
He  therefore  judged  that  duty  to  his  king  and  his  coun- 
trymen demanded  of  him  that  he  should  remain  in 
Peru,  until  he  could  leave  the  army  in  a  safe  condi- 
tion. 

Pizarro  did  not  venture  to  resent  the  reproaches 
and  defiance  of  De  Soto,  but  immediately  prepared 
to  avail  himself  of  his  military  abilities,  in  a  march  of 


120 


DE    SOTO. 


several  hundred  miles  south  to  Cuzco,  the  capital  of 
the  empire.  With  characteristic  treachery,  Pizarro 
seized  one  of  the  most  distinguished  nobles  of  the 
Peruvian  court,  and  held  him  as  a  hostage.  This 
nobleman,  named  Chalcukima,  had  occupied  some  of 
the  highest  posts  of  honor  in  the  kingdom,  and  was 
greatly  revered  and  beloved  by  the  Peruvians. 
Pizarro  sent  far  and  wide  the  announcement,  that 
upon  the  slightest  movement  of  hostility  on  the  part 
of  the  natives,  Chalcukima  would  be  put  to  death. 

The  Spaniards  now  set  out  on  their  long  march. 
It  was  in  the  month  of  September,  1533,  one  of  the 
most  lovely  months  in  that  attractive  clime.  But  for 
the  rapine,  carnage  and  violence  of  war,  such  a  tour 
through  the  enchanting  valley  of  the  Cordilleras,  in 
the  midst  of  fruits  and  flowers,  and  bird  songs,  and 
traversing  populous  villages  inhabited  by  a  gentle 
and  amiable  people,  would  have  been  an  enterprise 
full  of  enjoyment.  But  the  path  of  these  demoniac 
men  was  marked  by  the  ravages  of  fiends.  And  not- 
withstanding the  great  embarrassments  in  which  De 
Soto  found  himself  involved,  it  is  very  difficult  to  find 
any  excuse  for  him,  in  allowing  himself  to  be  one  of 
their  number. 

Francisco  Pizarro  led  the  band.  His  brother 
Hernando,  De  Soto,  and  Almagro,  were  his  leading 
captains.     But  it  was  the  genius  of  De  Soto  alone, 


\ 


EXECUTION    OF    THE    INCA. 


121 


with  his  highly  disciplined  dragoons,  which  conducted 
the  enterprise  to  a  successful  issue.  He  led  the 
advance ;  he  was  always  sent  to  every  point  of  dan- 
ger ;  his  sword  opened  the  path,  through  which 
Pizarro  followed  with  his  vagabond  and  plundering 
crew. 

In  trembling  solicitude  for  his  own  safety,  Pizarro 
not  only  held  Chalcukima  as  a  hostage,  but  he  also 
seized  upon  Topaxpa,  the  young,  feeble  and  grief- 
stricken  son  of  the  murdered  Attahuallapa,  and 
declared  him  to  be,  by  legitimate  right,  the  successor 
to  the  throne.  Thus  he  still  had  the  Inca  in  his 
power.  The  Peruvians  were  still  accustomed  to 
regard  the  Inca  with  almost  religious  homage. 
Topaxpa  was  compelled  to  issue  such  commands  as 
Pizarro  gave  to  him.  Thus  an  additional  element  of 
embarrassment  was  thrown  into  the  ranks  of  the 
Peruvians.  Communication  between  different  parts 
of  the  empire  was  extremely  difficult  and  slow. 
There  were  no  mails  and  no  horses.  This  gave  the 
mounted  Spaniards  a  vast  advantage  over  their  bewil- 
dered victims. 

For  several  days  the  Spanish  army  moved  delight- 
fully along,  through  a  series  of  luxuriant  valleys, 
where  the  secluded  people  had  scarcely  heard  of  their 
arrival  in  the  country.  The  movement  of  the  glitter- 
ing host  was  one  of  the  most  wonderful  pageants 


122 


DE    SOTO. 


which  Peruvian  eyes  had  ever  beheld.  A  multitude 
of  men,  women  and  children,  thronged  the  highway, 
gazing  with  curiosity  and  admiration  upon  the  scene, 
and  astonished  by  the  clatter  of  the  hoofs  of  the 
horses  upon  the  flag-stones,  with  which  the  national 
road  was  so  carefully  paved.  During  these  few  days  of 
peaceful  travel  the  natives  presented  no  opposition  to 
the  march,  and  the  presence  of  De  Soto  seemed  to 
restrain  the  whole  army  from  deeds  of  ruffianly  vio- 
lence. Whenever  Pizarro  wished  to  engage  in  any 
of  his  acts  of  villany,  he  was  always  careful  first  to 
send  De  Soto  away  on  some  important  mission. 

They  were  now  approaching  a  deep  and  rapid 
mountain  stream,  where  the  bridge  had  either  been 
carried  away  by  the  recent  flood  or  had  been  destroy- 
ed by  the  Peruvians.  They  were  also  informed  that 
quite  a  large  army  was  gathered  upon  the  opposite 
bank  to  arrest,  with  the  aid  of  the  rushing  torrent, 
the  farther  advance  of  the  Spaniards.  Pizarro  imme- 
diately ordered  a  halt.  De  Soto,  with  a  hundred 
horsemen,  was  sent  forward  to  reconnoitre,  and,  if 
possible,  to  open  the  path.  Almagro,  with  two  hun- 
dred footmen,  followed  closely  behind  to  support  the 
cavalry. 

De  Soto,  without  paying  much  attention  to  his 
infantry  allies,  pressed  so  rapidly  forward  as  soon  to 
leave  them  far  behind.     He  reached  the  river.     It 


EXECUTION    OF    THE    INCA. 


123 


was  a  swollen  mountain  torrent.  Several  thousand 
natives,  brandishing  their  javelins  and  their  war  clubs, 
stood  upon  the  opposite  bank  of  the  stream.  De 
Soto  and  his  horsemen,  without  a  moment's  hesitation, 
plunged  into  the  stream,  and  some  by  swimming  and 
some  by  fording,  soon  crossed  the  foaming  waters. 
As  the  war  horses,  with  their  steel-clad  riders,  came 
rushing  upon  the  Peruvians,  their  keen  swords  flash- 
ing in  the  sunlight,  a  large  part  of  the  army  fled  in 
great  terror.  It  seemed  to  them  that  supernatural 
foes  had  descended  for  their  destruction. 

A  few  remained,  and  fought  with  the  energies  of 
despair.  But  they  were  powerless  before  the  tramp- 
ling horses  and  the  sharp  weapons  of  their  foes. 
They  were  cut  down  mercilessly,  and  it  was  the 
genius  of  De  Soto  which  guided  in  the  carnage,  and 
the  strong  arm  of  De  Soto  which  led  in  the  bloody 
fray.  And  we  must  not  forget  that  these  Peruvians 
were  fighting  for  their  lives,  their  liberty,  their  all ; 
and  that  these  Spaniards  were  ruthless  invaders. 
Neither  can  we  greatly  admire  the  heroism  displayed 
by  the  assailants.  The  man  who  is  carefully  gloved 
and  masked  can  with  impunity  rob  the  bees  of  their 
honey.  The  wolf  does  not  need  much  courage  to 
induce  him  to  leap  into  the  fold  of  the  lambs. 

In  the  vicinity  of  this  routed  army  there  was  a 
pagan  temple  ;  that  is,  a  temple  dedicated  to  the  Sun, 


124 


DE    SOTO. 


the  emblem  of  the  God  of  the  Peruvians.  It  was  in 
those  days  thought  that  the  heathen  and  all  their  pos- 
sessions, rightly  belonged  to  the  Christians ;  that  it 
was  the  just  desert  of  the  pagans  to  be  plundered  and 
put  to  death.  Even  the  mind  of  De  Soto  was  so  far 
in  accord  with  these  infamous  doctrines  of  a  benighted 
age,  that  he  allowed  his  troopers  to  plunder  the 
temple  of  all  its  rich  treasures  of  silver  and  of  gold. 
A  very  large  amount  of  booty  was  thus  obtained. 
One  of  the  principal  ornaments  of  this  temple  was 
an  artificial  sun,  of  large  size,  composed  of  pure  and 
solid  gold. 

Mr.  Wilmer,  speaking  of  this  eveu.  -ndiciously 
remarks : 

"  De  Soto,  finding  his  path  once  more  unob- 
structed, pushed  forward,  evidently  disposed  to  open 
the  way  to  Cuzco  without  the  assistance  of  his  tardy 
and  irresolute  commander.  Jt  is  a  remarkable  fact, 
and  one  which  admits  of  no  doni;)l,  that  every  impor- 
tant military  movement  of  the  Spaniards  in  Peru, 
until  the  final  subjugation  of  the  empire  by  the  cap- 
ture of  the  metropolis,  was  conducted  by  De  Soto. 
Up  to  the  time  to  which  our  narrative  now  refers, 
Pizarro  had  never  fought  a  single  battle  which  de- 
served the  name.  The  bloody  tragedy  of  Caxa- 
marca,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  only  massacre  ; 
the  contrivance  and  execution  of  which  required  no 


EXECUTION    OF    THE    INCA. 


125 


military  skill  and  no  soldier-like  courage.  Pizarro 
acquired  the  mastery  of  Peru  by  the  act  of  a  malefac- 
tor. And  he  was,  in  fact,  a  thief  and  not  a  con- 
queror. The  heroic  element  of  this  conquest  is  rep- 
resented by  the  actions  of  De  Soto." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

De  Soto  Returns  to  Spain. 

DtctuMvX  Fate  of  Chalcukima. — His  Fortitude. — Ignominy  of  Pi- 
/arro. — De  Soto's  Advance  upon  Cuzco. — The  Peruvian  High- 
way,— Battle  in  the  Defile. — De  Soto  takes  the  Responsibility. — 
('ajjtiirc  of  the  Capital  and  its  Conflagration. — De  Soto's  Return 
to  Spain, — His  Reception  there. — Preparations  for  the  Conquest 
of  Florida. 


Considering  the  relations  which  existed  between 
Dc  .Soto  and  Pizarro,  it  is  not  improbable  that  each 
WtXn  glad  to  be  released  from  the  presence  of  the 
other.  It  is  very  certain  that  so  soon  as  De  Soto 
WiiH  gone,  Pizarro,  instead  of  hurrying  forward  to  sup- 
port him  in  the  hazardous  encor.nters  to  which  he  was 
exposed,  immediately  engaged,  with  the  main  body 
of  hi.H  army,  in  plundering  all  the  mansions  of  the 
wealthy  and  the  temples  on  their  line  of  march.  And 
it  i«  equally  certain  that  De  Soto,  instead  of  waiting 
Uif  the  troops  of  Pizarro  to  come  up,  put  spurs  to  his 
hor.Hc  and  pressed  on,  as  if  he  were  anxious  to  place 
aH  great  a  distance  as  possible  between  himself  and 
hi»  superior  in  command. 

Though  De  Soto  had  allowed  his  troops  to  plunder 
the  temple  of  Xauxa,  he  would  allow  no  robbery  of 
private  dwellings,  and  rigidly  prohibited  thf  slightest 


DE    SOTO    RETURNS    TO    SPAIN. 


127 


act  of  violence  or  injustice  towards  the  persons  of  the 
natives. 

It  Avill  be  remembered  that  Pizarro  had  threatened 
to  hold  Chalcukima  responsible  for  any  act  of  hostil- 
ity on  the  part  of  the  Peruvians.  He  now  summoned 
his  captive  before  him,  and  charged  him  with  treason  ; 
accusing  him  of  having  incited  his  countrymen  to 
measures  of  resistance.  Chalcukima,  with  dignity 
and  lirmness  which  indicate  a  noble  character,  re- 
plied : 

"  If  it  had  been  possible  for  me  to  communicate 
with  the  people,  I  should  certainly  have  advised  them 
to  do  their  duty  to  their  country,  without  any  regard 
to  my  personal  safety.  But  you  well  know  that  the 
vigilance  with  which  you  have  guarded  me,  has  pre- 
vented me  from  making  any  communication  of  the 
kind.  I  am  sorry  that  it  has  not  been  m  my  power 
to  be  guilty  of  the  fact  with  which  you  charge  me." 

The  wretched  Pizarro,  utterly  incapable  of  appi  ?- 
elating  the  grandeur  of  such  a  character,  ordered  him 
to  be  burned  at  the  stake.  The  fanatic  robber  and 
mur  '.erer,  insulting  the  cross  of  Christ,  by  calling 
himscii  a  Christian,  sent  his  private  chaplain,  Friar 
Vincent,  to  convert  Chalcukima  to  v/hat  he  called  the 
Christian  faith.  The  priest  gave  an  awful  descrip- 
tion of  the  glooms  of  hell,  to  which  the  prisoner  was 
destined  as  a  heathen.     In  glowing  colors  he  depicted 


128 


DE    SOTO. 


the  splendors  of  the  celestial  Eden,  to  which  he  would 
be  admitted  the  moment  after  his  cxucutifjn  if  he 
would  accept  the  Christian  faith.  The  captive  coldly 
replied : 

"  I  do  not  understand  your  religion,  ami  all  that  I 
have  seen  of  it  does  not  impress  mc  in  itH  favor," 

He  was  led  to  the  stake.  Not  a  cry  CHcapcd  his 
lips,  as  the  fierce  flames  consumed  hJH  (juivcring 
flesh.  From  that  scene  of  short,  sharp  agony,  we 
trust  that  his  spirit  ascended  to  be  folded  in  the 
embrace  of  his  Heavenly  Father,  IL  iw  a  fundamen- 
tal principle  in  the  teachings  of  Jcsuh,  that  in  every 
nation  he  that  feareth  God,  and  docth  rightccni.sness, 
is  accepted  of  him.  But  God's  wayH  here  on  earth 
are  indeed  past  all  finding  out,  I'erhajm  the  future 
will  solve  the  dreadful  mystery,  but  at  preHunt,  as  we 
contemplate  man's  inhumanity  to  man,  our  eyes  are 
often  blinded  with  tears,  and  our  hearlH  nink  despair- 
ingly within  us. 

De  Soto  pressed  rapidly  onwards,  league  after 
league,  over  sublime  eminences  and  through  luxuri- 
ant vales.  The  road  was  admiral}le  :  Hmooth  and 
clean  as  a  floor.  It  was  constructed  only  for  foot 
passengers,  as  the  Peruvians  had  no  aninialK  larger 
than  the  lama  or  sheep.  This  advance-guard  of  the 
Spanish  army,  all  well  mounted,  and  iiiMpirec^  by  tl'c 
energies  of  their  impetuous   chief,  soon   rtaciied  / 


M 


.'k■■'^ 


DE    SOTO    RETURNS    TO    SPAIN. 


129 


point  where  the  road  led  over  a  mountain  by  steps 
cut  in  the  solid  rock,  steep  as  a  flight  of  stairs.  Pre- 
cipitous cliffs  rose  hundreds  of  feet  on  either  side. 
Here  it  was  necessary  fo.^  the  troopers  to  dismount, 
and  carefully  to  lead  their  horses  by  the  bit  up  the 
difficult  ascent. 

The  road  was  winding  and  irregular,  leading 
through  the  most  savage  scenery.  This  pass,  at  its 
summit,  opened  upon  smooth  table-land,  luxuriant 
and  beautiful  under  the  influence  of  a  tropical  sun 
and  mountain  showers  and  dews.  About  half  way 
up  this  pass,  upon  almost  inaccessible  crags,  several 
thousand  Peruvians  had  assembled  to  make  another 
attempt  at  resistance.  Arrows  and  javelins  were  of 
but  I'ttle  avail.  Indeed  they  always  rebounded  from 
th    anoor  of  the  Spaniards  as  from  the  ledges  of 

It  !.3'.  r  jck. 

fiat  the  natives  had  abundantly  provided  them- 
selves A'ith  enormous  stones  to  roll  down  upon  the 
heads  of  men  and  horses.  Quite  a  band  of  armed 
men  were  also  assembled  upon  the  open  plain  at  the 
head  of  the  pass.  As  the  vSpaniards  were  almost 
'Vagging   their  horses  up  the  gorge,  suddenly   the 

!(irra  of  war  burst  upon  them.     Showers  of  stone 

dc.cended  from  the  cliff  from  thousands  of  unseen 

hands.      Huge  boulders  were  pried  over  and  went 

thundering  down,  crashing  all  opposition  before  them, 

6* 


130 


DE    SOTO. 


It  seems  now  incomprehensible  why  the  whole  squad- 
ron of  horsemen  was  not  destroyed.  But  in  this  aw- 
ful hour  the  self-possession  of  De  Soto  did  not  for 
one  moment  forsake  him.     He  shouted  to  his  men  : 

"  If  we  hal:  Here,  or  attempt  to  go  back,  we  must 
certainly  perish.  only  safety  is  in  pressing  for- 

ward. As  soon  as  we  reach  the  top  of  the  pass,  we 
can  easily  put  these  men  to  flight." 

Suiting  his  action  to  his  words,  and  being  at  the 
head  of  his  men,  he  pushed  forward  with  almost  frantic 
energy,  carefully  watching  and  avoiding  the  descend- 
ing missiles.  Though  several  horses  and  many  men 
were  killed,  and  others  sorely  wounded,  the  majority 
soon  reached  the  head  of  the  pass.  They  then  had 
an  unobstructed  plain  before  them,  over  which  their 
horses  could  gallop  in  any  direction  at  their  utmost 
speed. 

Impetuously  they  fell  upon  the  band  collected 
there,  who  wielded  only  the  impotent  weapons  of  ar- 
rows, javelins  and  war  clubs.  The  Spaniards,  exas- 
perated by  the  death  of  their  comrades,  and  by  their 
own  wounds,  took  desperate  vengeance.  No  quarter 
was  shown.  Their  sabres  dripped  with  blood.  Few 
could  escape  the  swift-footed  steeds.  The  dead  were 
trampled  beneath  iron  hoofs.  Night  alone  ended  the 
carnage. 

During  the  night  the  Peruvians  bravely  rallied 


DE    SOTO    RETURNS    TO    SPAIN. 


131 


from  their  wide  dispersion  over  the  mountains,  re- 
solved in  their  combined  force  to  make  another  at- 
tempt to  resist  their  foes.  They  were  conscious  that 
should  they  fail  here,  their  case  was  hopeless. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  conflict  a  courier 
had  been  sent  back,  by  De  Soto,  to  urge  Almagro  to 
push  forward  his  infantry  as  rapidly  as  possible.  By 
a  forced  march  they  pressed  on  through  the  hours  of 
the  night,  almost  upon  the  run.  The  early  dawn 
brought  them  to  the  pass.  Soon  the  heart  of  De 
Soto  was  cheered  as  he  heard  their  bugle  blasts  re- 
verberating among  the  cliffs  of  the  mountains.  Their 
banners  appeared  emerging  from  the  defile,  and  two 
hundred  well-armed  men  joined  his  ranks. 

Though  the  Peruvians  were  astonished  at  this  ac- 
cession to  the  number  of  their  foes,  they  still  came 
bravely  forward  to  the  battle.  It  was  another  scene 
of  slaughter  for  the  poor  Peruvians.  They  inflicted 
but  little  harm  upon  the  Spaniards,  while  hundreds 
of  their  slain  soon  strewed  the  ground. 

The  Spanish  infantry,  keeping  safely  beyond  the 
reach  of  arrow  or  javelin,  could,  with  the  deadly  bul- 
let, bring  down  a  Peruvian  as  fast  as  they  could  load 
and  fire,  while  the  horsemen  could  almost  with  im- 
punity plunge  into  the  densest  ranks  of  the  foe.  The 
Peruvians  were  vanquished,  dispersed,  and  cut  down, 
until  the  Spaniards  even  were  weary  with  carnage. 


132 


DE    SOTO. 


This  was  the  most  important  battle  which  was  fought 
in  the  conquest  of  Peru. 

The  field  was  but  twenty-five  miles  from  the  cap- 
ital, to  which  the  army  could  now  advance  by  an  al- 
most unobstructed  road.  De  Soto  was  anxious  to 
press  on  immediately  and  take  possession  of  the  city. 
He  however  yielded  to  the  earnest  entreaties  of  Al- 
magro,  and  consented  to  remain  where  he  was  with 
his  band  of  marauders.  This  delay,  in  a  military 
point  of  view,  proved  to  be  very  unfortunate.  Had 
they  gone  immediately  forward,  the  vanquished  and 
panic-stricken  Peruvians  would  not  have  ventured 
upon  another  encounter.  But  Almagro  was  the 
friend  of  Pizarro,  dependent  upon  him,  and  had  been 
his  accomplice  in  many  a  deed  of  violence.  He  was 
anxious  that  Pizarro  should  have  the  renown  of  a 
conqueror,  and  should  enjoy  the  triumph  of  riding  at 
the  head  of  his  troops  into  the  streets  of  the  van- 
quished capital. 

This  delay  of  several  days  gave  the  Peruvians 
time  to  recover  from  their  consternation,  and  they  or- 
ganized another  formidable  line  of  defense  in  a  valley 
which  the  Spaniards  would  be  compelled  to  traverse, 
a  few  miles  from  the  city.  Pizarro  was  still  several 
miles  in  the  rear.  De  Soto  dispatched  a  courier  to 
him,  informing  him  of  the  new  encounter  to  which 
the  army  was  exposed,  and  stating  that  the  Peruvians 


DE    SOTO    RETURNS    TO    SPAIN. 


133 


were  well  posted,  and  that  every  hour  of  delay  added 
to  their  strength.  Still  Pizarro  loitered  behind  ;  still 
Almagro  expressed  his  decided  reluctance  to  advance 
before  Pizarro's  arrival.  To  add  to  De  Soto's  embar- 
rassments, he  declared  that  De  Soto  was  acting  with- 
out authority  and  in  direct  opposition  to  the  orders  of 
his  superior.  After  a  little  hesitancy  De  Soto  re- 
solved to  take  the  responsibility  and  to  advance.  He 
said  to  Almagro :  "  • 

"  A  soldier  who  is  entrusted  with  an  important 
command,  is  not  bound  in  all  cases  to  await  the  orders 
of  his  superior.  Where  there  is  manifestly  an  im- 
portant advantage  to  be  gained,  he  must  be  allowed 
to  act  according  to  his  own  discretion." 

He  then  appealed  to  his  own  dragoons,  saying  to 
them :  ' 

"  The  whole  success  of  our  expedition  now  de- 
pends upon  the  celerity  of  our  movements.  While 
we  are  waiting  for  Pizarro,  our  best  chance  for  vic- 
tory will  be  lost."  • 

With  one  united  voice  the  dragoons  of  De  Soto 
demanded  to  be  led  forward.  Availing  himself  of 
this  enthusiasm,  De  Soto  put  his  troops  in  motion. 
The  Peruvians  were  a  few  miles  in  advance,  strongly 
posted  in  a  deep  and  rugged  ravine,  where  they 
hoped  that  the  movements  of  the  horses  would  be  so 
impeded  that  they  could  accomplish  but  little.    They 


134 


DE    SOTO. 


pressed  forward,  and  the  battle  was  immediately  com- 
menced. Both  parties  fought  with  great  fury.  In 
the  midst  of  the  conflict  a  large  re-enforcement  of 
the  natives  came  rushing  upon  the  field,  under  the 
leadership  of  a  young  Peruvian  noble,  who  displayed 
truly  chivalric  courage  and  energy.  De  Soto  was 
ever  where  the  blows  fell  thickest  and  where  danger 
was  most  imminent. 

Quite  a  number  of  the  Peruvians  were  slain,  and 
many  dead  horses  were  strewed  over  the  field.  At 
one  time  Dc  Soto,  separated  from  his  comrades  by  the 
surging  tides  of  the  battle,  found  himself  surrounded 
by  tvv(inty  Peruvians,  who,  with  arrows,  javelins  and 
battle  clubs,assailed  him  with  the  utmost  impetuosity. 
Javelins  and  arrows  glanced  harmless  from  the  Span- 
ish armor.  But  war  clubs,  armed  with  copper  and 
wielded  by  sinewy  arms,  were  formidable  weapons 
even  for  the  belted  knight  to  encounter.  De  Soto, 
with  his  keen  and  ponderous  sword,  cut  his  way 
through  his  assailants,  strewing  the  ground  with  the 
dead.  The  young  Peruvian,  who,  it  is  said,  was  heir 
to  the  throne  of  the  Inca,  had  assumed  the  general 
command.  . 

He  gazed  with  astonishment  upon  the  exploits  of 
De  Soto,  and  said  in  despairing  tones  to  his  attend- 
ants :  "  It  is  useless  to  contend  with  such  enemies ! 
These  men  are  destined  to  be  our  masters." 


DE    SOTO    RETURNS    TO    SPAIN. 


135 


Immediately  he  approached  De  Soto,  throwing 
down  his  arms,  advancing  alone,  and  indicating  by 
^^csturcs  that,  lie  was  ready  to  surrender.  The  battle 
af  once  ceased,  and  most  of  the  Peruvian  army  rushed 
jjrccipitately  back  towards  the  city.  In  a  state  of 
frenzy  they  applied  the  torch  in  all  directions,  re- 
solved to  thwart  the  avarice  of  the  conqueror  by  lay- 
ing the  whole  city  and  all  its  treasures  in  ashes.  The 
inhabitants  of  Cuzco,  almost  without  exception,  fled, 
luch  one  seized  upon  whatever  of  value  could  be 
carried  away.  Volumes  of  smoke  and  the  bursting 
flames  soon  announced  to  the  Spaniards  the  doom  of 
the  city. 

De  Soto  and  his  dragoons  put  spurs  to  their 
horses  and  hastened  forward,  hoping  to  extinguish 
the  conflagration.  Now  that  the  battle  was  fought 
and  the  victory  won,  Francisco  Pizarro,  with  his  band 
of  miscreants,  came  rushing  on  to  seize  the  plunder. 

''  They  came  like  wolves  or  jackals  to  fatten  on 

the  prey  which  never  could  have  been  attained  by 

their  own  courage  or  prowess.     The  disappointment 

of  Pizarro   and  his  congenial  associates,  when  they 

found  that  the  principal  wealth  of  the  city  had  been 

carried  off"  by  the  Peruvians,  vented  itself  in  acts  of 

diaboliccjl  cruelty.     They  seized  on  the  aged  and  sick 

persons  who  had  been  unable  to  escape,  and  put  many 

of  them  to  the  torture  to  make  them  confess  where 
I 


136 


DE    SOTO. 


the  treasures  of  Cuzco  were  concealed.  Either  these 
unfortunate  people  could  not  give  the  information  re- 
quired, or  they  had  sufficient  firmness  to  endure 
agony  and  death  rather  than  betray  the  consecrated 
treasures  of  their  national  monuments  and  altars  into 
the  hands  of  their  enemies,"  *' 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  of  a  November  day, 
1533.  when  the  dragoons  of  De  Soto,  closely  followed 
by  the  whole  Spanish  army,  entered  the  burning 
streets  of  Cuzco.  They  ran  about  eagerly  in  all  di- 
rections searching  for  gold  in  the  blazing  palaces  and 
temples.  Thus  an  immense  amount  of  spoil  was 
found,  which  the  Peruvians  had  been  unable  to  re- 
move. It  is  said  that  after  one-fifth  had  been  sub- 
stracted  for  the  Spanish  crown,  and  the  officers  had 
received  their  abundant  shares,  the  common  soldiers, 
four  hundred  and  eighty  in  number,  received  each 
one  a  sum  amounting  to  four  thousand  dollars. 

Peru  was  conquered,  but  the  victors  had  indeed 
gained  a  loss.  Nearly  all  who  were  engaged  in  the 
enterprise  perished  miserably.  Almagro  was  event- 
ually taken  captive  by  the  Peruvians  and  strangled. 
Hernando  Pizarro,  returning  to  Spain,  languished  for 
weary  years  in  a  prison.  The  younger  brother  was 
beheaded.  Friar  Vincent,  who  had  given  the  sup- 
port  of  religion   to  many  of  the  most  atrocious  of 

*  Life  of  Ferdinand  De  Soto,  by  Lambert  A.  Wilmer,  p.  272. 


DE    SOTO    RETURNS    TO    SPAIN. 


137 


these  crimes,  fell  into  an  ambush  with  a  small  party, 
and  they  all  were  massacred.  Francisco  Pizarro  him- 
self fell  a  victim  to  a  conspiracy  among  his  own  sol- 
diers, and  at  mid-day  was  put  to  death  in  his  own 
palace.  But  we  must  leave  these  wild  men  to  their 
career  of  cruelty  and  crime,  while  we  follow  the  foot- 
steps of  De  Soto. 

Early  in  the  year  1534,  De  Soto  took  leave  of  his 
comrades  in  Peru,  and  embarked  for  Spain.  He  had 
left  his  native  land  in  poverty.  He  now  returned  af- 
ter an  absence  of  about  fifteen  years,  greatly  enriched, 
prepared  in  opulence  as  well  as  in  illustrious  birth  to 
take  his  stand  with  the  proudest  grandees  of  that 
then  opulent  realm.  His  last  labors  in  Peru  were 
spent  in  unavailing  endeavors  to  humanize  the  spirit 
of  his  countrymen  there,  and  to  allay  the  bitter  feuds 
which  were  springing  up  among  them.  But  his  de- 
parture seemed  to  remove  from  them  all  restraints, 
and  Spaniards  and  Peruvians  alike  were  whelmed  in 
a  common  ruin.  ■ 

No  account  has  been  transmitted  to  us  of  De 
Soto's  return  voyage.  While  he  was  in  Peru,  Don 
Pedro  had  died.  His  sick-bed  was  a  scene  of  linger- 
ing agony,  both  of  body  and  of  mind.  The  proud 
spirit  is  sometimes  vanquished  and  crushed  by  re- 
morse ;  but  it  is  never,  by  those  scorpion  lashes,  sub- 
dued, and  rendered  humble  and  gentle  and  lovable. 


138 


DE    SOTO. 


The  dying  sinner,  whose  soul  was  crimsoned  with 
guilt,  was  overwhelmed  with  "  a  certain  fearful  look- 
ing for  of  judgment  and  hary  indignation."  The  ec- 
clesiastics, who  surrounded  his  death-bed,  assured  him 
that  such  sins  as  he  had  been  guilty  of  could  only  be 
expiated  by  the  most  liberal  benefactions  to  the 
church.  He  had  never  forgiven  Isabella  for  her  per- 
tinacious adherence  to  De  Soto.  In  the  grave  he 
could  not  prohibit  their  nuptials.  By  bequeathing 
his  wealth  to  the  church,  he  could  accomplish  a  double 
object.  He  could  gratify  his  revenge  by  leaving  his 
daughter  penniless,  and  thus  De  Soto,  if  he  cont^ln- 
ued  faithful,  would  be  compelled  to  receive  to  his 
arms  a  dowerless  bride ;  and  a  miserable  superstition 
taught  him  that  he  could  thus  bribe  God  to  throw 
open  to  him  the  gates  of  paradise. 

Don  Pedro's  eldest  daughter,  Maria,  was  engaged 
to  be  married  to  Vasco  Nunez,  the  very  worthy  gov- 
ernor who  had  preceded  Don  Pedro  at  Darien,  and 
whom  he  had  so  infamously  beheaded.  She  had  spent 
fifteen  years  in  her  father's  castle  in  the  gloom  an-^l 
tears  of  this  cruel  widowhood.  Don  Pedro  bequeathed 
nearly  all  his  fortune  to  the  endowment  of  a  monas- 
tery, over  which  Maria  was  appointed  abbess.  Isa- 
bella was  left  unprovided  for.  Thus  suddenly  the  rel- 
ative position  of  the  two,  lovers  was  entirely  changed. 
De  Soto  found  himself  in  possession  of  large  wealth. 


DE    SOTO    RETURNS    TO    SPAIN. 


139 


Isabella  was  reduced  to  poverty.  We  know  not 
where  to  find,  in  the  annals  of  history,  the  record  of 
a  more  beautiful  attachment  than  that  which,  during 
fifteen  years  of  separation,  trial,  and  sorest  tempta- 
tions, had  united  the  hearts  of  De  Soto  and  Isabella. 
Their  love  commenced  when  they  were  children, 
walking  hand  in  hand,  and  playing  in  the  bowers  of 
Don  Pedro's  ancestral  castle. 

De  Soto  had  now  attained  the  age  of  thirty-five 
years.  Isabella  was  only  a  few  years  younger.  When 
we  contemplate  her  youth,  her  beauty,  the  long  years 
of  absence,  without  even  a  verbal  message  passing 
between  them,  the  deadly  hostility  of  her  father  to 
the  union,  and  the  fact  that  her  hand  had  been  re- 
peatedly solicited  by  the  most  wealthy  of  the  Span- 
ish nobility,  this  fidelity  of  Isabella  to  her  youthful 
love  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  in  the  records  of 
time. 

"  During  the  long  separation,"  says  Mr.  Wilmer, 
"t.f  these  exemplary  lovers,  many  important  changes 
had  taken  place.  Time  and  sorrow  had  somewhat 
dimmed  the  lustre  of  Isabella's  beauty.  But  she  was 
still  the  fairest  among  ten  thousand,  and  De  Soto 
was  too  deeply  enamored  and  too  justly  appreciative 
to  value  her  the  less,  because  the  rose  had  partially 
faded  from  her  cheek." 

Immediately  upon  De  Soto's  return  to  Spain,  as 


140 


DE    SOTO. 


all  obstacles  to  their  union  were  removed,  the  nuptial 
ceremony  was  performed.  The  voice  of  fame  had 
already  proclaimed  De  Soto  as  the  real  conqueror  of 
Peru.  As  such,  he  had  not  only  enriched  himself, 
but  had  also  greatly  enriched  the  Spanish  crown.  All 
eyes  were  fixed  upon  him.  It  is  said  that  at  once  he 
became  the  most  noted  and  most  popular  man  in  the 
kingdom.  He  and  his  bride  were  received  at  the 
Spanish  court  with  the  most  flattering  marks  of  dis- 
tinction. In  his  style  of  living  he  assumed  almost 
regal  splendoi.  He  had  acquired  his  money  very 
.luddenly,  and  he  lavished  it  with  an  unsparing  hand. 
A  contemporary  annalist  writes: 

"  He  kept  a  steward,  a  gentleman  usher,  several 
pages,  a  gentleman  of  the  horse,  a  chamberlain,  a 
footman,  and  all  other  officers  that  the  house  of  a 
nobleman  requires." 

One  of  the  most  splendid  ;nansioii«'  in  Seville  he 
selected  for  his  residence,  and  in  less  than  two  years 
he  found  that  one-half  of  his  princely  fortune  had 
melted  away.  They  were  two  years  of  adulation,  of 
Hclf-indulgence,  of  mental  intoxication.  It  was  a  de- 
lirious dream  from  which  he  suddenly  awoke.  Re- 
flection taught  him  that  he  must  immediately  curtail 
his  expenses,  and  very  yeriously,  or  engage  in  some 
new  enterprise  to  replenish  his  wasting  purse. 

The  region  cf  North  America  called  Florida,  a 


DE    SOTO    RETURNS    TO    SPAIN. 


141 


territory  of  undefined  and  boundless  extent,  was  then 
attracting  much  attention  as  a  fresh  field  for  the  ac- 
quisition of  gold  and  glory.  Several  expeditions  had 
touched  upon  the  unknown  coast,  but  from  varioua 
causes  had  proved  entire  failures.  Eight  years  be- 
fore this  De  Narvaez  had  visited  the  country  with 
three  hundred  adventurers.  lie  found  the  natives 
far  more  warlike  than  the  Peruvians,  and  the  country 
more  difficult  of  access.  De  Narv^aez  himself,  and 
nearly  all  his  band,  fell  before  the  fury  of  the  F*loridians. 
Five  only  es'^aped.  One  of  v.hese,  Cabaca  de  Vaca,  a 
man  of  glowing  imagination,  and  who  held  the  pen  of 
a  ready  writer,  wrote  a  Baron  Munchausen  account  of 
the  expedition.  He  descanted  upon  the  delicious 
clime,  the  luxuriant  soil,  the  populous  rities,  the 
architectural  splendor  of  the  edifices,  and  the  ine.x- 
hauscible  mines  of  silver  and  of  gold.  There  was  no 
one  to  call  his  account  in  question.  His  extravagant 
stories  were  generally  believed. 

De  Soto,  who  was  in  the  prime  of  his  v*j;orous 
manhood,  having  as  yet  only  attained  his  thirty- seventh 
year,  read  this  narrative  and  pondered  these  statements 
with  enthusiasm.  A  couple  of  years  of  inaction  in  his 
luxurious  saloons  had  inspired  him  with  new  zeal  for 
ron. antic  adventure  ;  and  to  this  there  was  added  the 
powerful  motive  of  the  necessity  of  retrieving  his  for- 
tunes.    He  believed  that  gold  could  be  g.ithered  in 


142 


DE    SOTO. 


Florida,  even  more  abundantly  than  in  Peru  ;  that  by 
the  aid  of  the  crown  a  numerouH  colony  might  be 
established  where,  under  genial  Hkles,  every  man 
could  be  put  into  possession  of  broad  acres  of  the 
most  luxuriant  soil.  And  he  felt  fully  confident  that 
his  long  experience  on  the  isthmus  and  in  I'eru,  qual- 
ified him  in  the  highest  degree  to  \m  the  leader  of 
such  an  enterprise. 

-In  these  views  he  was  sustained  ])y  the  common 
sentiment  of  the  whole  community,  i)e  Soto  applied 
to  the  king  of  Spain,  the  lunperor  Charles  Fifth,  for 
permission  to  organize  an  expedition,  at  his  own 
expense,  for  the  conquest  of  Florida.  He  offered  to 
the  crown,  as  usual  for  its  share,  one-fifth  of  the 
plunder. 

Eagerly  the  Emperor,  who  was  always  in  need  of 
money,  accepted  the  proposition,  '•askinj^notiuestions, 
for  conscience'  sake."  The  ICmperor  wan  very  profuse 
in  conferring  honors  and  titles  upon  h\H  heroic  sub- 
ject. He  appointed  him  governor  of  the  island  of 
Cuba,  which  he  was  to  make  the  banc  of  his  opera- 
tions, investing  him  with  almost  dictatorial  powers  as 
both  military  and  civil  governor.  He  also  granted 
him  a  piivate  estate  in  Florida,  with  the  title  of  mar- 
quis, in  whatever  part  of  the  country  he  might  choose. 
This  magnificent  estate  was  to  connint  of  a  region, 
ninety  miles  long  and  forty -five  milcn  wide. 


DE    SOTO    RETURNS    TO    SPAIN. 


143 


As  soon  as  it  was  known  throughout  Spain  that 
De  Soto  was  about  to  embark  on  such  an  enterprise, 
volunteers  began  to  flock  to  his  standard.  He  would 
accept  of  none  but  the  most  vigorous  young  men, 
whom  he  deemed  capable  of  enduring  the  extremes 
of  toil  and  hardship.  In  a  few  months  nine  hundred 
and  fifty  men  were  assembled  at  San  Lucar,  eager  to 
embark.  Many  of  these  were  sons  of  the  wealthy 
nobles,  who  were  thoroughly  equipped  in  splendid 
style,  with  costly  armor,  and  accompanied  by  a  train 
of  servants. 

Twenty-four  ecclesiastics,  of  various  grades,  joined 
the  expedition,  whose  arduous  task  it  was  to  i  )nvert  the 
natives  to  that  religion  of  the  Spaniards  which  allowed 
them  to  rob  their  houses  and  their  temples,  to  mal- 
treat their  wives  and  daughters,  to  set  fire  to  their 
villages,  to  hunt  them  down  with  bloodhounds,  and  to 
trample  them  under  the  iron  hoofs  of  their  fiery  steeds. 

Never  before  had  an  expedition  set  out  so  abun- 
dantly supplied.  Not  only  was  every  necessity  pro- 
vided for,  but  luxury  and  even  wasteful  extravagance 
reigned  through  the  armament.  De  Soto  himself 
was  a  man  of  magnificent  tastes.  Many  who  were 
with  him  in  Peru,  and  had  become  there  enriched, 
had  joined  the  enterprise.  And  the  young  nobles  of 
Spain  surrounded  themselves  with  the  conveniences 
and  splendor  which  large  wealth  could  furnish. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


The  Landing  in  Florida. 

The  Departure  from  Spain. — Arrival  in  Cuba. — Leonora  and  To- 
bar. — Isabella  Invested  with  the  Regency. — Sad  I>ife  of  Isabella, — 
Sailing  of  the  Expedition. — The  Landing  at  Tampa  Bay. — Out- 
rages of  Narvaez. — Noble  .Spirit  of  Ucita. — Unsuccessful  Enter- 
prises.— Disgrace  and  Return  of  Porcallo. 

The  brilliant  armament  spread  its  sails  to  a  favor- 
able breeze  at  the  port  of  San  Lucar,  on  the  morning 
of  the  sixth  of  April,  1538.  The  squadron  consisted 
of  seven  large  ships,  and  three  smaller  vessels.  It 
must  have  been  an  imposing  and  busy  scene  in  that 
little  bay,  upon  which  the  sun  looked  serenely  down 
three  hundred  years  ago.  In  addition  to  the  Flo- 
ridian  fleet,  there  was  another  squadron  of  twenty-six 
sail,  at  the  same  time  weighing  anchor,  bound  for 
Mexico.  Bugle  peals  resounded  from  ship  and  shore, 
while  salvoes  of  artillery  swept  over  the  waves  and 
reverberated^  among  the  cliffs. 

Isabella  accompanied  her  husband,  and  quite  an 
imposing  train  of  attendants  was  attached  to  the  gov- 
ernor's family.  The  sail  of  a  fortnight  brought  them 
to  the  Canary  Islands.  The  Count  Gomera,  a  Span- 
ish nobleman,  was  in  command,     No  religious  scru- 


THE    LANDING    IN    FLORIDA. 


145 


pies  lent  their  restraints  to  his  luxurious  court.  He 
had  a  very  beautiful  daughter,  seventeen  years  of  age, 
named  Leonora.  The  father  loved  her  tenderly.  He 
was  perhaps  anxious  to  shield  her  from  the  deleteri- 
ous influences  with  which  she  was  surrounded.  The 
high  moral  worth  of  Isabella  impressed  him  ;  and 
arrangements  were  made  for  Leonora  to  accompany 
Isabella  to  Cuba,  as  a  companion,  to  be  treated  in  all 
respects  as  her  own  daughter. 

On  the  twenty-fourth  of  April  the  fleet  again  set 
sail,  and  reached  St.  Jago  de  Cuba  the  latter  part  of 
May.  This  city  was  then  the  capital  of  the  island. 
It  was  situated  on  the  southern  shore,  at  the  head  of 
a  bay  running  inland  about  six  miles.  It  was  then 
quiic  populous,  and  was  opulent  with  the  wealth  of 
which  previous  Spanish  adventurers  had  robbed  the 
unhappy  Cubans.  The  whole  city  turned  out  with 
music,  and  banners  and  gorgeous  processions,  to  give 
a  suitable  reception  to  their  new  'governor. 

A  grand  tournament  was  held  on  the  occasion. 
Among  the  cavaliers  who  were  contending  for  the 
prizes  there  was  a  young  nobleman,  Nuno  de  Tobar, 
who  was  De  Soto's  lieutenant-general.  He  was  one 
of  the  most  accomplished  of  the  Spanish  grandees, 
and  bore  off"  many  of  the  prizes.  The  beauty  of  Leo- 
nora won  his  admiration.  They  were  thrown  much 
together,  and  he  betrayed  her.  At  the  confessional 
7 


146 


DE    SOTO. 


Leonora  opened  her  heart  to  the  priest.  It  is  proba- 
ble that  he  communicated  with  the  governor.  De 
Soto's  indignation  was  thoroughly  roused.  He  sum- 
moned the  culprit  before  him,  Tobar,  deeming  his 
offense  a  very  trivial  one,  without  hesitation  acknowl- 
edged it,  thinking,  perhaps,  that  he  might  receive 
some  slight  reprimand.  He  was  not  a  little  surprised 
when  the  governor  said  in  indignant  tones  : 

"  Leonora  was  placed  under  my  care  by  her 
father.  I  pledged  myself  to  protect  her  at  the  hazard 
of  my  own  life.  To-morrow  morning  you  must  meet 
me  in  single  combat,  where  you  will  have  a  chance  to 
protect  the  life  you  have  justly  forfeited." 

There  was  no  man  probably,  in  the  whole  Spanish 
army,  who  could  safely  cross  swords  with  De  Soto  in 
mortal  strife.  Tobar  was  appalled.  He  well  knew 
that  in  such  a  rencontre  death  was  his  inevitable 
doom.     Overwhelmed  with  confusion,  he  said  : 

"  I  have  not  committed  a  capital  crime.  If  I  had, 
I  should  not  expect  your  Excellency  to  be  my  execu- 
tioner. It  is  impossible  for  me  to  contend  with  you 
in  single  combat.  By  accepting  your  challenge,  I 
doom  myself  to  certain  destruction." 

De  Soto  replied :  "  Your  crime  is  not  a  trivial 
one.  You  cannot  evade  the  consequences  by  refus- 
ing to  meet  them.  To  say  nothing  of  the  wrong  you 
have  done  chis  unhappy  girl,  your  treachery  to  me 


THE    LANDING    IN    FLORIDA. 


147 


deserves  the  punishment  of  a  traitor.  You  may 
choose  whether  you  will  die  like  a  soldier,  sword  in 
hand,  or  like  a  criminal,  under  the  axe  of  the  execu- 
tioner." 

Tobar  withdrew.  He  hastened  to  the  room  of  the 
confessor.  With  him  he  called  upon  Leonora,  and, 
taking  a  few  witnesses,  repaired  to  the  church,  where 
the  marriage  ceremony  was  immediately  performed. 
Within  an  hour  he  returned  to  the  governor  and 
informed  him  that  he  had  made  all  the  reparation  in 
his  power.  Dc  Soto,  his  brow  still  clouded  with 
severe  displeasure,  replied : 

"You  have  saved  your  life,  but  you  can  never 
regain  my  confidence.  You  are  no  longer  my  lieu- 
tenant. That  office  can  be  held  only  by  one  whose 
honor  is  unsullied." 

De  Soto  remained  about  three  months  in  Cuba, 
making  a  tour  of  the  island,  establishing  hir.  govern- 
ment, purchasing  horses,  and  making  other  prepara- 
tions for  the  expedition  to  Florida.  While  thus 
engaged,  he  sent  a  vessel,  with  a  picked  ciew,  to 
coast  along  the  shores  of  the  land  '  »i  was  about  to 
invade,  in  search  of  a  commodious  h;iibor,  where  his 
troops  might  disembark.  After  many  perilous  adven- 
tures, the  vessel  returned  with  a  satisfactory  report. 

The  fleet,  and  all  the  armament  it  was  to  bear, 
were  rendezvoused  at  Havana,  on  the  northern  coast 


148 


DE   SOTO. 


of  Cuba,  where  a  fair  wind  in  a  few  hours  would  con- 
vey them  to  the  shores  of  Florida.  On  the  twelfth 
of  May,  some  authorities  say  the  eighteenth,  of  the 
year  1539,  the  expedition  set  sail  upon  one  of  the 
most  disastrous  adventures  in  which  heroic  men  ever 
engaged.  Terrible  as  were  the  woes  they  inflicted 
upon  the  natives,  no  less  dreadful  were  the  calamities 
which  they  drew  down  upon  themselves, 

Isabella  had  been  anxious  to  accompany  her  hus- 
band to  Florida.  But  he,  aware  of  the  hardships  and 
perils  to  which  they  would  be  exposed,  would  not 
give  his  consent.  She  consequently  remained  at 
Cuba,  entrusted  with  the  regency  of  the  island.  She 
never  saw  her  husband  again.  Poor  Isabella !  In 
sadness  she  had  waited  fifteen  years  for  her  nuptials. 
Two  short  years  had  glided  away  like  a  dream  in  the 
night.  And  then,  after  three  years  of  intense  anx- 
iety, during  which  she  heard  almost  nothing  of  her 
husband,  the  tidings  reached  her  of  his  death.  It  was 
a  fatal  blow  to  her  faithful  and  loving  heart.  World- 
weary  and  sorrow-crushed,  she  soon  followed  him  to 
the  spirit-land.  Such  is  life ;  not  as  God  has  appoint- 
ed it,  but  as  Liin  has  made  it. 

The  expedition  consisted  of  eight  large  ships,  a 
caraval,  and  two  brigantines.  They  were  freighted 
with  everything  which  could  be  deemed  needful  to 
conquer  the  counlry,  and  then  to  colonize  it.     The 


THE    LANDING    IN    FLORIDA. 


149 


force  embarked,  in  addition  to  the  sailors  who  worked 
the  ships,  consisted  of  a  thousand  thoroughly  armed 
men,  and  three  hundred  and  fifty  horses.  Contrary 
winds  gave  them  a  slow  passage  across  the  gulf.  On 
the  twenty-fifth  of  May  they  entered  the  harbor  of 
which  thpy  were  in  search.  It  was  on  the  western 
coast  of  the  magnificent  peninsula.  De  Soto  then 
gave  it  the  name  of  Espiritu  Santo.  It  is  now  how- 
ever known  as  Tampa  Bay. 

As  they  entered  the  harbor  beacon  fires  were  seen 
blazing  along  the  eminences,  indicating  that  the 
natives  had  taken  the  alarm,  and  were  preparing  for 
resistance.  Several  days  were  employed  in  cautious 
sounding  of  the  harbor  and  searching  for  a  suitable 
landing-place,  as  it  seemed  probable  that  opposition 
was  to  be  encountered.  On  the  last  day  of  May,  a 
detachment  of  three  hundred  soldiers  landed  on  the 
bcac'i  and  took  possession  of  the  land  in  the  nam.;^  of 
Charles  the  Fifth.  The  serene  day  was  succeeded 
by  a  balmy  night.  Not  an  Indian  was  to  be  seen  ; 
and  the  bloom,  luxuriance  and  fruitage  of  the  tropics, 
spread  enchantingly  around  them. 

The  hours  of  the  night  passed  away  undisturbed. 
But  just  before  dawn  a  terrific  war-whoop  resounded 
through  the  forest,  as  from  a  thousand  throats,  and  a 
band  of  Indian  warriors  came  rushing  down,  hurling 
upon  the  invaders  a  shower  of  arrows  and  javelins. 


1^0 


DE    SOTO. 


The  attack  was  so  sudden  and  impetuous  that  the 
Spaniards  were  thrown  into  a  panic.  They  rushed 
for  their  boats,  and  with  loudest  bugle  peals,  called 
for  aid  from  their  companions  in  the  ships.  The 
summons  met  with  a  prompt  response.  Boats  were 
immediately  lowered,  and  a  large  party  of  steel-clad 
men  and  horses  were  sent  to  their  aid. 

When  Nufio  Tobar  was  degraded,  and  dismissed 
from  his  office  as  lieutenant-general,  a  rich,  hair- 
brained  Spanish  nobleman,  by  the  name  of  Vasco 
Porcallo,  took  his  place.  He  was  a  gay  cavalier, 
brave  even  to  recklessness,  of  shallow  intellect,  but  a 
man  who  had  seen  much  hard  service  in  the  battle- 
fields of  those  days.  He  was  very  rich,  residing  at 
Trinidad  in  Cuba.  He  joined  the  enterprise  for  the 
conquest  of  Florida,  influenced  by  an  instinctive  love 
of  adventure,  and  by  the  desire  to  kidnap  Indians  to 
work  as  slaves  on  his  plantations.  The  valiant  Por- 
callo headed  the  party  sent  to  the  rescue  of  those  on 
shore. 

In  such  an  adventure  he  was  entirely  in  his  ele- 
ment. Immediately  upon  landing  he  put  spurs  to  his 
horse  and,  accompanied  by  only  seven  dragoons,  with 
his  sabre  flashing  in  the  air,  plunged  into  the  very 
thickest  of  the  Indians.  Soon  they  were  put  to 
flight.  An  Indian  arrow,  however,  pierced  his  saddle 
and  its  housings,  and  reached  the  vitals  of  his  horse. 


THE    LANDING    IN    FLORIDA. 


iSi 


The  noble  steed  dropped  dead  beneath  him.  Por- 
callo  was  quite  proud  of  his  achievement,  and  boasted 
not  a  little  that  his  arm  had  put  the  infidels,  as  he 
called  the  Indians,  to  flight,  and  that  his  horse  was 
the  first  to  fall  in  the  encounter. 

During  the  day  all  the  troops  were  disembarked 
and  encamped  upon  the  shore.  It  was  reported  that 
there  was  quite  a  populous  Indian  town  at  the  dis- 
tance of  about  six  miles  from  the  place  of  landing. 
While  the  ammunition  and  commissary  stores  were 
being  brought  on  shore,  the  little  army  marched  for 
this  village.  It  was  the  residence  of  the  chief  of  the 
powerful  tribe  who  occupied  that  region.  His  name 
was  Ucita,  and  from  him  the  village  received  the 
same  appellation. 

The  Spaniards  met  with  no  opposition  on  their 
march.  But  when  they  reached  the  village  they 
found  it  entirely  deserted.  It  was  quite  a  large 
town,  the  houses  being  built  substantially  of  timber, 
thatched  with  palm  leaves.  Many  of  these  edifices 
were  large  and  commodious,  containing  several 
rooms.  Their  articles  of  household  furniture  were 
convenient,  and  some  of  them  quite  elegant.  The 
dresses,  especially  those  of  the  females,  were  artistic 
and  often  highly  ornamental.  Very  beautiful  shawls 
and  mantillas  were  manufactured  by  them.  Their 
finest  fabrics  were   woven   by  the   hand  from   the 


152 


DE    SOTO. 


fibrous  bark  of  the  mulberry-tree  and  hemp,  which 
grew  wild  and  in  abundance.  The  natives  had 
acquired  the  art  of  rich  coloring,  and  the  garments 
thus  manufactured  by  them  were  often  really  beauti- 
ful. The  walls  of  the  houses  of  the  wealthier  citizens 
were  hung  with  tapestry  of  very  softly  tanned  and 
richly  prepared  buckskin  ;  and  carpets  of  the  same 
material  were  spread  upon  the  floors. 

The  Floridians  were  not  acquainted  with  iron, 
that  most  indispensable  article  with  nations  of  high 
enlightenment.  But  they  had  succeeded  in  impart- 
ing a  temper  to  copper,  so  as  to  give  many  of  their 
tools  quite  a  keen  edge.  Though  the  inhabitants  of 
Florida  had  not  attained  that  degree  of  civilization 
which  had  been  reached  by  the  Peruvians,  it  will  be 
seen  that  they  were  immeasurably  in  advance  of  the 
savages  in  the  northern  portion  of  the  continent,  and 
that  their  homes  far  surpassed  those  of  the  peasantry 
of  Ireland,  and  were  more  tasteful  and  commodious 
than  the  log  huts  which  European  emigrants  erect  as 
their  first  home  in  the  wilderness  of  the  West.  They 
cultivated  the  ground  mainly  for  their  subsistence, 
though  hunting  and  fishing  were  resorted  to,  then  as 
now,  for  recreation  .^s  well  as  for  food. 

De  Soto  took  possession  of  the  deserted  village, 
and  occupied  the  houses  of  the  inhabitants  as  bar- 
racks for  his  soldiers.     A  few  straggling  Indians 


TIIK     LANDINO     IN     FLORIDA. 


153 


were  taken  captive.  From  them  he  learned  that  he 
was  doomed  to  suffer  for  the  infamous  conduct  of  the 
Spanish  adventurer,  Narvaez,  who  had  preceded  him 
in  a  vi.sit  to  this  region.  This  vile  man  had  been 
guilty  of  the  most  inhuman  atrocities.  Me  had  caused 
the  mother  of  the  chief  Ucita  to  be  torn  to  pieces  by 
bloodhounds,  and  in  a  transport  of  passion  had  aw- 
fully mutilated  Ucita  himself,  by  cutting  off  his  nose. 
Consequently,  the  chief  and  all  his  people  were  exas- 
pc'uitedto  the  highest  degree.  The  injuries  they  had 
rct^eived  were  such  as  could  never  be  forgiven  or  for- 
gotten. 

De  Soto  was  very  anxious  to  cultivate  friendly 
relations  with  the  Indians.  Whatever  may  have  been 
his  faults,  his  whole  career  thus  far  had  shown  him  to 
be  by  nature  a  kind-hearted  and  upright  man,  hating 
oppression  and  loving  justice.  The  faults  of  his 
character  rather  belonged  to  the  age  in  which  he 
lived,  than  to  the  individual  man.  No  military  leader 
has  ever  yet  been  able  to  restrain  the  passions  of  his 
soldiers.  Wherever  an  army  moves,  there  will  always 
be, to  a  greater  or  less  degree,  plunder  and  violence, 
De  Soto  earnestly  endeavored  to  introduce  strict  dis- 
cipline among  his  troops.  He  forbade  the  slightest 
act  of  injustice  or  disrespect  towards  the  Indians. 
Whenever  a  captive  was  taken,  he  treated  him  as  a 
father  would  treat  a  child,  and  returned  him  to  his 
7* 


«54 


DK    SOTO. 


home  laden  with  presents.  He  availed  himself  of 
every  opportunity  to  send  friendly  messages  to  Ucita. 
hut  the  mutilated  chief  was  in  no  mood  to  be  pla- 
cated.    His  only  reply  to  these  kind  words  was, 

"  I  want  none  of  the  speeches  or  promises  of  the 
Spaniards,  Bring  me  their  heads  and  I  will  receive 
them  joyfully," 

The  energies  of  De  Soto  inspired  his  whole  camp. 
The  provisions  and  munitions  of  war  were  promptly 
landed  and  conveyed  to  Ucita.  The  place  was 
strongly  fortified,  and  a  hardy  veteran,  named  Pedro 
Caldcron,  was  placed  in  command  of  the  garrison 
entrusted  with  its  defence.  All  the  large  ships  were 
sent  back  to  Cuba,  probably  to  obtain  fresh  supplies 
of  military  stores  ;  some  say  that  it  was  to  teach  the 
army  that;,  there  being  no  possibility  of  escape,  it  now 
muHt  depend,  upon  its  own 'valor  for  existence. 

Dc  Soto  was  very  unwilling  to  set  out  for  a  march 
into  the  interior  for  discovery  and  in  search  of  gold, 
while  leaving  so  powerful  a  tribe  as  thai  over  which 
Ucita  reigned,  in  hostility  behind  him.  He  therefore 
ftent  repeated  messages  to  Ucita  expressing  his  utter 
detestation  of  the  conduct  of  Narvaez ;  his  desire  to 
do  everything  in  his  power  to  repair  the  wrong  which 
had  been  inflicted  upon  him,  and  his  earnest  wish  to 
CHiablisb  friendly  relations  with  the  deeply-injured 
chief. 


THE    LANDING    iN    FLORIDA. 


155 


These  reiterated  friendly  advances,  ever  accom- 
panied by  correspondent  action,  at  length  in  some 
slight  degree  mitigated  the  deadly  rancor  of  Ucita, 
so  that  instead  of  returning  a  message  of  defiance 
and  hatc,  he  sent  back  the  truly  noble  response  : 

"  The  memory  of  my  injuries  prevents  me  from 
returning  a  kind  reply  to  your  messages,  and  your 
courtesy  is  such  that  it  will  not  allow  me  to  return  r 
harsh  answer. ' 

The  man  who,  under  these  circumstances,  could 
frame  such  a  reply,  must  have  been  one  of  nature's 
noblemen.  De  Soto  could  appreciate  the.  grandeur 
of  such  a  spirit.  While  these  scenes  were  transpir- 
ing, a  man  was  brought  into  the  camp,  in  Indian  cos- 
tume, who  announced  himself  as  a  Spaniard  by  the 
name  of  Juan  Ortiz.  He  had  been  one  of  the  ad- 
venturers under  Narvaez.  In  the  extermination  of 
that  infamous  band  he  had  been  taken  captive  and 
bound  to  the  stake,  to  be  consumed.  He  was  then 
but  eighteen  years  of  age,  tall  and  very  handsome. 
As  the  tongues  of  torturing  flame  began  to  eat  into 
his  quivering  flesh,  cries  of  agony  were  extorted 
from  him. 

He  was  in  the  hands  of  a  powerful  chief,  whose 
daughter  is  represented  as  a  very  beautiful  princes  ;,  by 
the  name  of  Uleleh.  She  was  about  sixteen  years  of  age, 
and  could  not  endure  the  scene.     She  threw  her  arms 


156 


DE    SOTO. 


around  her  father's  neck,  and  with  tcar»  of  anguish 
pleaded  that  his  life  might  be  saved.  1  Ic  was  res- 
cued ;  and  though  for  a  time  he  Huffcrcd  extreme 
cruelty,  he  eventually  became  ado[)te(l,  a»  it  were, 
into  the  tribe,  and  for  ten  years  had  rcwided  among  the 
Indians,  sometimes  regarded  as  a  captive,  upon  whom 
heavy  burdens  could  be  imposed,  and  again  treated 
with  great  kindness.  Juan  Ortiz  being  thus  familiar 
with  the  habits  of  the  natives  and  their  language, 
became  an  invaluable  acquisition  to  the  adventurers, 

De  Soto  inquired  very  earnestly  of  him  respecting 
the  country  and  the  prospect  of  fnuling  any  region 
abounding  with  silver  and  gold.  Ortiz  had  but  little 
information  to  give,  save  that,  at  the  dintancc  of  about 
a  hundred  miles  from  where  they  then  were,  there 
was  a  great  chief  named  Uribaracaxi,  to  wh(»m  all  the 
adjacent  chiefs  were  tributary.  Win  rttalins  were  rep- 
resented as  far  more  extensive,  populous,  and  rich 
than  those  of  the  surrounding  chieflainH.  De  Soto 
dispatched  a  band  of  sixty  horsemen  and  sixty  foot  sol- 
diers with  presents  and  messages  of  friendship  to  Uri- 
baracaxi. The  object  of  the  expedition  was  to  explore 
the  country  and  to  make  inquiries  resperting  gold. 

A  weary  march  of  about  forty  milcH  brought  the 
party  to  the  village  of  Muco/.o,  where  Ortiz  had 
resided  for  some  years.  'I'lie  chief  of  this  tribe, 
whose  rsame  was  also  Muco/.o,  was  brother-in-law  to 


THE     LANDING    IN     FLORIDA. 


157 


Uribaracaxi.  Mucozo  received  the  Spaniards  with 
great  hospitality,  and  learning  that  they  were  on  a 
friendly  visit  to  Uribaracaxi,  furnished  them  with  a 
guide.  Four  days  were  occupied  in  a  tedious  march 
through  a  country  where  pathless  morasses  continu- 
ally embarrassed  their  progress. 

This  expedition  was  under  the  command  of  Bal- 
thazar de  Gallegos.  He  reached  his  point  of  destina- 
tion in  safety.  But  the  chief,  deeming  it  not  pru- 
dent to  trust  himself  in  the  hands  of  the  Spaniards, 
whose  renown  for  fiendish  deeds  had  filled  the  land, 
had  retired  from  his  capital,  and  nearly  all  the  inhab- 
itants had  fled  with  him.  He  left  for  his  uninvited 
guests  no  message  either  of  welcome  or  defiance. 
Gallegos  found  all  his  attempts  to  open  any  communi- 
cations with  him  unavailing.  There  was  no  plunder 
in  the  city  worth  seizing,  and  De  Soto's  commands  to 
the  expedition  were  very  strict,  to  treat  the  Indians 
with  the  utmost  kindness  and  humanity. 

Gallegos  made  earnest  inqvifies  of  the  Indians 
whom  he  met,  as  to  the  provinces  where  gold  and  sil- 
ver could  be  found.  They  told  him  that  there  was  a 
country  many  leagues  west  of  them,  of  marvellous 
luxuriance  and  beauty,  where  gold  was  found  in  such 
abundance  that  the  warriors  had  massive  shields  and 
helmets  made  of  that  precious  metal.  The  more 
shrewd  of  the  Spaniards  placed  very  little  reliance 


158 


DE   SOTO. 


upon  this  testimony.  They  thought  they  saw  evi- 
dence that  the  Indians  were  ready  to  fabricate  any 
story  by  which  they  could  rid  themselves  of  their 
visitors. 

Soon  after  the  departure  of  Gallegos,  De  Soto 
received  the  intelligence  that  the  chief  Ucita  had 
taken  refuge  in  a  forest,  surrounded  with  swamps, 
not  far  from  the  Spanish  camp.  The  vainglorious 
Porcallo  was  exceedingly  indignant  that  the  Indian 
chief  should  presume  to  hold  himself  aloof  from  all 
friendly  advances.  He  entreated  De  Soto  to  grant 
him  the  privilege  of  capturing  the  fugitive.  De  Soto 
complied  with  his  request.  The  impetuous  old  man, 
fond  of  parade,  and  lavish  of  his  wealth,  selected  a 
band  of  horsemen  and  footmen,  all  of  whom  were  gor- 
geously apparelled  for  the  occasion.  He,  himself,  was 
mounted  on  a  magnificent  steed  and  cased  in  glitter- 
ing armor. 

It  seems  that  the  noble  Ucita  kept  himself  well 
informed  of  every  movement  of  the  invaders.  With 
a  spirit  of  magnanimity  which  wrould  have  done  honor 
to  the  best  Christian  in  the  Spanish  ranks,  he  sent  a 
courier  to  meet  Porcallo,  and  to  say  to  him, 

"  You  will  only  expose  yourself  to  infinite  peril 
from  the  rivers,  morasses,  and  forests  through  v/hich 
you  will  have  to  pass  in  your  attempt  to  reach  my 
retreat.      My  position   is   so   secure    that  all  your 


THE    LANDING    IN    FLORIDA. 


159 


attempts  to  take  me  will  result  only  in  your  own  loss. 
I  do  not  send  you  this  message  from  any  fears  on  my 
own  account,  but  be  c. use  your  leader,  De  Soto,  has 
manifested  so  much  forbearance  in  not  injuring  my 
territory  or  my  subjects." 

It  is  really  refreshing  to  find  here  and  there, 
among  all  these  demoniac  deeds  of  demoniac  men, 
some  remaining  traces  of  that  nobility  of  character 
which  man  had  before  the  fall,  when  created  in  God's 
image  he  was  but  little  lower  than  tlje  angels.  Man, 
as  we  see  him  developed  in  history,  is  indeed  a  ruin, 
but  the  ruin  of  a  once  noble  fabric.  When  we  think 
of  what  man  might  be,"  in  all  generous  aftections,  and 
then  think  of  what  man  is,  it  is  enough  to  cause  one 
to  weep  tears  of  blood. 

Porcallo  could  not  appreciate  the  magnanimity  of 
Ucita.  He  regarded  the  message  as  one  of  the  strat- 
agems of  war,  dictated  either  by  fear  or  cowardice. 
He  therefore  ordered  the  trumpets  to  sound  the 
advance,  his  only  fear  being,  that  the  chief  might 
escape.  Porcallo,  a  Quixotic  knight,  had  no  element 
of  timidity  in  his  character.  He  led  his  troops.  He 
never  said  "  Go,"  but  "  Follow."  Pressing  rapidly 
forward,  the  little  band  soon  arrived  upon  the  border 
of  a  vast  and  dismal  morass,  utterly  pathless,  stretch- 
ing  out  many  leagues  in  extent. 

The  hot-headed  cavalier,  thinking  that  the  swamp 


i6o 


DE    SOTO. 


niight  be  waded,  put  spurs  to  his  horse  and  dashed 
forward.  He  had  advanced  but  a  few  rods  when  the 
horse,  struggling  knee-deep  through  the  mire,  stum- 
bled and  fell.  One  of  the  legs  of  the  rider  was  so 
caught  beneath  the  animal  as  to  pin  him  inextricably 
in  the  morass,  covering  him  with  water  and  with  mud. 
The  weight  of  his  armor  sank  him  deeper  in  the 
mire,  and  in  the  desperate  struggles  of  the  steed  for 
extrication,  he  was  i  -  great  danger  of  being  suffocated. 
None  could  come  to  his  aid  without  danger  of  being 
swallowed  up  in  the  bog. 

The  unfeeling  and  brutal  soldiers  stood  upon  the 
borders  of  the  morass  with  shouts  of  merriment,  as 
they  witnessed  the  sudden  discomfiture  of  their 
leader ;  a  discomfiture  the  more  ludicrous,  in  con- 
trast with  his  gorgeous  attire,  and  his  invariably 
proud  and  lofty  bearing.  At  length  x  orcallo  extri- 
cated himself,  and,  drenched  with  water,  and  covered 
with  mud,  led  his  equally  bemired  steed  to  the  land. 
He  was  humiliated  and  enraged.  The  derision  of  the 
soldiers  stung  him  to  the  quick.  He  had  embarked 
in  the  expedition  to  gain  glory  and  slaves.  He  had 
encountered  disgrace  ;  and  the  prospect  of  kidnap- 
ping the  natives,  under  such  a  leader  as  De  Soto  had 
proved  himself  to  be,  was  very  small. 

It  is  probable  that  before  this  disaster  he  had  seri- 
ously contemplated  abandoning  the   expedition  and 


THE    LANDING    IN    FLORIDA. 


I6l 


returning  to  his  princely  mansion  in  Trinidad.  Or- 
dering his  men  to  face  about,  he  sullenly  and  silently 
returned  to  the  Spanish  camp.  Throwing  up  his 
commission  with  disgust,  he  embarked  for  Cuba,  and 
we  hear  of  him  no  more. 

"  His  train  of  servants,"  writes  Mr.  Theodore 
Irving,  "  Spanish,  Indian  and  negro,  were  embarked 
with  all  speed.  Hut  when  the  gallant  old  cavalier 
came  to  take  leave  of  his  young  companions  in  arms, 
and  the  soldiers  he  had  lately  aspired  to  lead  so  vain- 
gloriously,  his  magnificent  spirit  broke  forth.  He 
made  gifts  to  the  right  and  left,  dividing  among  the 
officers  and  knights  all  the  arms,  accoutrements, 
horses  and  camp  equipage,  with  which  he  had  come 
so  lavishly  and  so  ostentatiously  provided,  and  gave, 
for  the  use  of  the  army,  all  the  ample  store  of  provi- 
sions and  munitions  brought  for  the  use  of  himself 
and  his  retinue.  This  done,  he  bade  farewell  to  cam- 
paigning and  set  sail  for  Cuba,  much  to  the  regret  of 
the  army,  who  lamented  that  so  gallant  a  spirit 
should  have  burned  out  so  soon."  *' 

Indeed,  it  is  stated  in  what  is  called  "  The  Portu- 
guese Narrative  "  of  these  events,  that  Porcallo  and 
De  Soto  had  already  quarrelled  so  decisively  that 
they  were  no  longer  on  speaking  terms.  Porcallo, 
thoroughly  destitute  of  moral  principle,  was  a  slave 

*  Conquest  of  Florida,  by  Theodore  Irving,  p.  8i. 


1 62 


DE    SOTO. 


hunter ;  a  character  whom  De  Soto  thoroughly  de- 
spised, and  whose  operations  he  would  ot  on  any 
account  allow  to  be  carried  on  in  his  army.  Porcallo 
therefore  found  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  permission 
to  retire  from  the  service.  Probably  both  the  gov- 
ernor and  his  lieutenant  were  equally  happy  to  be  rid 
of  each  other. 


TheN 
Mc 
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CJc 

Di5 

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tics  c 

compj 

trustii 

Peru. 

soldiei 

comm 

three 

Caldei 

enjoin< 


CHAPTER  X. 


Tlie  March  to  OcJiile. 


The  March  Commenced. — The  Sw.imps  of  Florida. — Passage  of  the 
Morass. — Heroism  of  Silvestre. — Message  to  Acuera. — His  He- 
roic Reply. — Fierce  Hostility  of  the  Indians. — Enter  the  Town  of 
Ocali. — Strange  Incident. — Death  of  the  Bloodhound. — Historic.il 
Discrepancies. — Romantic  Entrance  to  Ochile. 

The  clay  after  the  departure  of  Porcallo,  a  courier 
from  Captain  Gallegos,  accompanied  by  a  small 
guard,  came  to  the  Spanish  camp  at  Ucita.  He 
informed  De  Soto  that  there  was  an  ample  supply  of 
provisions  at  Uribaracaxi  to  sustain  the  army  for  sev- 
eral days  ;  and  that  he  had  received  information  that 
at  not  a  great  distance  from  that  place  large  quanti- 
ties of  gold  could  be  obtained.  De  Soto  and  his 
companions  were  greatly  elated  by  these  tidings, 
trusting  that  they  were  about  to  enter  upon  another 
Peru.  A  garrison  of  forty  horsemen  and  eighty  foot 
soldiers,  was  left  at  Ucita,  to  protect  the  military  and 
commissariat  stores  collected  there,  and  to  guard  the 
three  vessels  still  remaining  in  the  bay.  Captain 
Calderon,  who  was  left  in  command,  was  strictly 
enjoined  to  treat  the  Indians  with  the  utmost  kind- 


i64 


DE    SOTO. 


ness,  and  not  to  make  war  upon  them,  even  if  pro- 
voked by  taunts  and  insults. 

De  Soto,  then,  with  the  main  body  of  his  army, 
set  out  on  the  march  for  Uribaracaxi.  It  was  soon 
very  evident  to  him  that  he  was  not  in  Peru.  There 
was  no  smoothly-paved  highway  for  his  soldi iis  to 
traverse.  The  country  was  pathless,  rough,  appar- 
ently uninhabited,  encumbered  with  tangled  forests, 
and  vast  dismal  swamps.  It  was  a  very  arduous 
enterprise  for  soldiers  burdened  with  heavy  armor  to 
force  their  way  through  such  a  wilderness,  with  the 
baggage  essential  to  such  a  body  of  men. 

One  of  the  great  objects  of  the  governor,  and  a 
humane  one,  was  to  establish  a  colony  in  Florida. 
A  herd  of  three  hundred  swine  was  kept  in  the  line 
of  march,  as  these  animals  were  deemed  the  most 
advantageous  stock  for  new  settlers.  After  a  toil- 
some march  of  two  days  they  reached  the  native  vil- 
lage of  Mucozo,  wheri  the  friendly  chief  of  the  same 
name  resided.  It  is  said  that  this  place  is  now  called 
Hichipuchsassa.  The  chief  received  them  with  great 
hospitality. 

Pressing  on  without  delay,  they  soon  reached 
Uribaracaxi,  which  town  it  is  supposed  was  situated 
near  the  head  of  the  Hillsborough  river,  which  stream 
empties  into  Tampa  Bay.  The  chief  was  still  absent, 
in  his  place  of  refuge,  amidst  the  fastnesses  of  the  for- 


THE    MARCH    TO    OCIIILE. 


165 


est.  All  of  De  Soto's  friendly  endeavors  to  draw 
him  from  his  retreat  proved  unavailing.  The  Span- 
iards were  yet  to  traverse  many  leagues  of  this 
unknown  country  before  they  could  enter  the  region 
where  it  was  supposed  the  gold  could  be  found. 

Florida  is  emphatically  a  region  of  swamps. 
There  is  probably  no  section  of  our  country  which, 
in  a  state  of  nature,  would  be  more  difficult  for  the 
passage  of  an  army.  About  nine  miles  from  the  village, 
directly  on  their  line  of  march,  extending  far  away  to 
the  east  and  the  west,  there  was  a  vast  bog  three 
miles  wide.  It  was  a  chaotic  region  of  mud  and 
water,  with  gigantic  trees  and  entangling  roots. 
After  long  search  a  passage  was  bund  through 
which,  by  the  toilsome  efforts  of  a  whole  day,  the 
army  forced  its  way.  Beyond  the  swamp  there 
opened  before  them  a  smooth,  luxuriant  flower-enam- 
elled prairie.  Rejoicingly  the  army  pressed  forward 
over  this  beautiful  expanse,  when  suddenly  they  found 
their  steps  again  arrested  by  a  series  of  sluggish 
streams,  stagnant  bayous,  and  impenetrable  bogs. 

De  Soto  now  took  a  hundred  horse  and  a  hundred 
foot  soldiers,  and  leaving  the  remainder  of  the  army 
safely  encamped,  set  out  to  explore  the  country  in 
search  of  a  practicable  route  of  travel.  For  three  days 
he  skirted  the  region  of  bogs,  lakes  and  thickets,  send- 
ing out  his  runners  in  different  directions  to  find  some 


i66 


DE   SOTO. 


outlet.  But  there  was  no  outlet  for  the  journeyings 
of  civilized  men.  They  captured  some  Indians,  who 
offered  to  guide  ihem,  but  who  treacherously  led 
them  to  more  difficult  passes  and  into  ambushes 
where  many  of  their  horses  were  slain.  The  dread- 
ful punishment  of  these  fah^e  guides  was  to  be  torn  to 
pieces  by  bloodhounds.  They  bore  their  sufferings 
with  amazing  fortitude. 

At  len,^;th  they  found  a  very  rude,  difficult  and 
dangerous  path  by  which  the  Inuians  crossed  these 
swamps.  At  ono  point,  where  the  water  could  not  be 
forded  for  a  d -stance  of  nearly  three  hundred  feet,  the 
Indians  had  constructed  a  bridge  by  cutting  down 
two  large  trees  and  uniting  the  space  that  still  re- 
mained between  them  in  this  Stygian  'ake,  by  tying 
logs  together,' with  cross-poles  for  floo»:mg.  To  add 
lo  the  embarrassments  of  the  .Spaniards,  apparently 
innumerable  small  bands  of  Indians  were  hovering  on 
their  track,  assailing  them  with  their  sharp-pointed 
arrows,  wherever  they  could  get  a  shot,  and  then  es- 
caping into  the  impenetrable  region  around.  They 
were  very  careful  never  to  come  to  an  open  conflict. 
Canoes,  propelled  by  the  paddle,  would  often  dart  out 
from  the  thickets,  a  shower  of  arrows  be  discharged, 
and  the  canoes  di.sappear  where  no  foot  could  follow 
ihem. 

A  very  bold  courier,  ..n  one  of  the  fleetest  horses, 


THE    MARCH    TO    OCHILE. 


167 


'g 


igon 
ntod 
n  es- 
They 
nflict. 
rt  out 
xrgcd, 
follow 

lorses, 


was  sent  back  to  summon  the  main  body  of  the  army 
to  march,  under  the  command  of  Moscoso,  and  join 
the  party  of  explorers  which  De  Solo  had  led.  This 
young  man,  by  the  name  of  Silvestre,  accomplished 
his  feat  through  a  thousand  perils  and  hair-breadth 
escapes. 

Three  days  De  Soto's  band  had  passed  struggling 
through  bog  and  brake,  bramble  and  forest.  Sylves- 
tre  was  to  find  his  path  back  travelling  with  all  possi- 
ble speed  by  night  as  well  as  by  day.  One  attendant 
only  was  with  him,  Juan  Lopez.  They  never  could 
have  found  their  path  but  through  the  sagacity  of  their 
horses.  These  noble  animals  seemed  to  be  endowed 
for  the  time  with  the  instinct  of  setter  dogs.  For  in 
the  darkness  ot  the  night  they  would  puff  and  snort, 
with  their  n  ses  close  to  the  ground,  ever,  under  the 
most  difficult  circumstances,  finding  the  track.  The 
distance  over  which  they  urged  their  horses  exceeded 
thirty  miles.  For  three  days  the  poor  creatures  had 
not  been  unsaddled,  and  the  bits  had  but  occasionally 
been  removed  from  their  mouths  that  they  might 
enjoy  the  brief  refreshment  of  grazing. 

•'  At  times,"  writes  Mr.  Irving,  "  they  passed  with- 
in sight  of  huge  fires,  around  which  the  savages  were 
stretched  in  wild  fantastic  groups,  or  capering  and 
.singing,  and  making  the  forests  ring  with  yells  and 
howlings.      ThcKc   were   probably   celebratin';   their 


i63 


DE    SOTO, 


feasts  with  war-dances.  The  deafenintj  din  they  raised 
was  the  safeguard  of  the  two  Spaniards,  as  it  pre- 
vented the  savages  noticing  the  rlanjorouH  harking  of 
their  dogs,  and  hearing  the  tramping  of  the  horses  as 
they  passed."  '•' 

Immediately  on  the  arrival  of  these  two  hold 
troopers,  Moscoso  dispatched  Hiipplies  for  the  gov- 
ernor with  an  escort  of  thirty  horscMncn,  In  the  mean 
time  the  troops  under  De  .Soto  were  nearly  perishing 
with  hunger.  They  were  compidled  lo  leave  their 
encampment  in  search  ol"  food.  l'*orlunately,  at  no 
great  dista'Tce,  they  found  a  beaiuMul  valley,  waving 
luxuriantly  w.'.h  fields  o(  corn  or  niai/e,  Jlerc  they 
encamped  and  here  were  soon  jiiined  by  the  escort 
and  their  welcome  supplies,  in  a  few  days  Moscoso 
came  also  with  the  residue  of  the  army.  They  were 
about  sixty  miles  north  of  Uribaracaxi.  It  is  sup- 
posed the  place  is  now  ■iiown  by  the  old  Indian  name 
of  Palaklikahu. 

The  chief,  whose  name  was  Acucra,  and  all  his 
people  had  fled  to  the  woods.  l>e  Solo  sent  Indian 
interpreters  to  him  with  friendly  rnj'ssages  and  the 
declaration  that  the  Spaniards  liwd  no  desire  to  do 
him  any  injury  ;  but  that  it  was  llicir  power,  if  the  In- 
dians resisted,  to  punish  them  with  great  severity. 
He  also  commissioned  them  to  make  the  declaration, 


Conquest  of  l'li)ri<l.«,  [i,  Hy, 


THE    MARCH    TO    OCUILE. 


169 


which  to  him  undoubtedly  seemed  perfectly  just  and 
reasonable,  but  which,  to  our  more  enlightened  minds, 
Siiems  atrocious  in  the  extreme,  that  it  was  their  only 
object  to  bring  him  and  his  people  into  obedience  to 
their  lawful  sovereign,  the  king  of  Spain.  With  this 
end  in  view,  he  invited  the  chief  to  a  friendly  inter- 
view. It  can  hardly  be  doubted  that  in  that  benighted 
age  De  Soto  felt  that  he  was  acting  the  part  of  a  just 
and  humane  man,  and  of  a  Christian,  in  extending  the 
Christian  reign  of  Spain  over  the  heathen  realms  of 
Florida.     Acuera  returned  the  heroic  reply  : 

"  Others  of  your  accursed  race  have,  in  years  past, 
poisoned  our  peaceful  shores.  They  have  taught  me 
what  you  are.  What  is  your  employment .-'  To  wan- 
der about  like  vagabonds  from  land  to  land ;  to  rob 
the  poor  ;  to  betray  the  confiding;  to  murder  in  cold 
blood  the  defenceless.  With  such  a  people  I  v/ant  no 
j)cace — no  friendship.  War,  never-ending,  extermi- 
nating war,  is  all  the  boon  I  ask.  You  boast  3'ourself 
valiant ;  and  so  you  may  be,  but  my  faithful  warriors 
are  not  less  brave  ;  and  this,  too,  you  shall  one  day 
prove,  for  I  have  sworn  to  maintain  an  unsparing 
conflict  while  one  white  man  remains  in  my  borders  ; 
not  openly,  in  battle,  though  even  thus  we  fear  r  ot  to 
meet  you,  but  by  stratagem,  and  ambush,  and  mid- 
night surprisals.  I  am  king  in  my  own  land,  and  will 
never  become  the  vassal  of  a  mortal  like  myself.     As 


170 


DE    SOTO. 


for  me  and  my  people,  we  choose  death,  yes  a  hun- 
dred deaths,  before  the  loss  of  our  liberty  and  the 
subjunjation  of  our  country." 

This  answer  certainly  indicates  a  degree  of  intelli- 
gence and  mental  culture  far  above  what  we  should 
expect  to  find  in  the  chief  of  a  tribe  of  Florida  In- 
dians. The  chivalric  spirit  of  De  Soto  compelled  him 
to  admire  the  heroii>m  it  displayed.  He  consequently 
redoubled  his  efforts  to  gain  the  friendship  of  the 
chief,  but  all  in  vain.  For  twenty  days  De  Soto  re- 
mained in  this  encampment,  recruiting  his  troops  and 
making  arrangements  for  a  farther  advance.  The 
Indians  made  constant  warfare  upon  him,  lurking  in 
the  thickets  which  densely  surrounded  his  camp.  Iso 
Spaniard  could  wander  one  hundred  iteps  without 
danger  of  being  shot  down  by  an  invisible  foe,  whose 
deadly  arrow  was  more  noiseless  in  its  flight  than  the 
sighing  of  the  breeze  through  the  tree  tops.  In  this 
way,  during  these  twenty  days,  fourteen  Spaniards 
were  killed  and  many  more  wounded.  Fifty  Indians 
also  fell  struck  by  the  bullets  of  the  invaders.  De  Soto 
allowed  himself  only  in  a  war  of  self-defence.  He 
strictly  prohibited  his  followers  from  doing  am  injury 
to  the  villages  or  the  property  of  the  nati\es,  or  of 
engaging  in  the  slightest  act  of  violence  towards  any 
who  were  not  in  active  hostility  against  them. 

After  twenty  days  of  such  repose  as  could  be 


THE    MARCH    TO    OCHILE. 


171 


found  in  this  war  harassed  camp,  De  Soto  resumed 
his  march.  He  directed  the  steps  of  his  army  in  a 
northeasterly  direction  towards  a  town  called  Ocali, 
about  sixty  miles  from  their  encampment.  It  seems 
that  in  most,  if  not  all  of  this  region,  the  chief  and 
his  principal  town  bore  the  same  name. 

The  path  of  the  army  led  just  over  a  dreary  ex- 
panse of  desert  sands,  about  thirty  miles  broad.  There 
was  no  underbrush,  and  over  the  smooth  surface  both 
men  and  horses  could  travel  with  the  greatest  ease. 
They  then  entered  upon  a  beautiful  region  of  fertility 
and  luxuriance.  Fields  of  corn  waved  their  graceful 
leaves  and  bannered  heads  in  the  breeze.  Farm 
houses  and  pleasant  villages  were  scattered  around, 
indicating  that  peace,  with  its  nameless  blessings, 
reigned  there.  They  reached  the  central  town, 
Ocali,  and  found  it  to  consist  of  six  hundred  sub- 
stantially built  houses.  I'his  would  give  the  place  a 
population  of  probably  not  less  than  three  thousand. 

liut  the  chief,  Ocali,  and  his  principal  inhabitants, 
with  their  effects,  had  fled  to  he  forests.  The  Span- 
ish army  immediately  took  up  its  quarters  in  the 
dwellings  of  Ocali.  They  found  here  an  ample  sup- 
ply of  provisions,  which  they  seem  without  any  ques- 
tionings to  have  appropriated  to  their  own  use.  The 
clime  was  balmy,  the  region  beautiful,  the  houses 
commodious,  the  food  abundant,  and  the  few  Indians 


172 


DE    SOTO. 


who  remained  behind  manifested  no  hostility.  The 
common  soldiers,  following  the  example  of  their  leader, 
treated  all  with  great  kindness. 

De  Soto  sent  severrl  indian  messengers  daily  to 
the  retreat  of  the  chief  with  proffers  of  peace  and 
friendship.  Though  Ocali  rejected  all  these  over- 
tures, it  seems  that  they  must  have  made  an  impres- 
sion on  the  minds  of  ;>ome  of  his  followers. 

One  day,  four  young  Floridian  warriors,  gorge- 
ously dressed  and  with  nodding  plumes,  came  to  the 
Spanish  camp.  De  .Soto  received  them  with  great 
cordiality  and  invited  them  to  a  hand.some  collation 
with  his  principal  officers.  Mr.  Irving,  in  his  well  au- 
thenticated narrative,  gives  the  following  account  of 
the  scene  which  there  ensued  : 

"  They  sat  down  and  appeared  to  be  eating  quiet- 
ly, when  perceiving  the  Spaniards  to  be  off  their 
guard,  they  rose  suddenly  and  rushed  full  speed  to 
the  woods.  It  was  in  vain  for  the  Spaniards  to  pur- 
sue them  on  foot,  and  there  was  nt  horse  at  hand.  A 
hound  of  uncommon  sagacity,  however,  hearing  the 
cry  of  :he  Indians,  and  seeing  them  run,  pursued 
them.  Overtaking  and  passing  by  the  first  and  sec- 
ond and  third,  he  sprang  upon  the  shoulders  of  the 
foremost  and  pulled  him  to  the  ground  ;  as  the  next 
Indian  passed  on,  the  dog,  leaving  the  one  already 
down,  sprang  upon  his  successor  and  secured  him  in 


THE    MARCH    TO    OCHILE. 


173 


the  same  way.  In  like  manner  he  served  the  third 
and  fourth,  and  then  kept  running  from  one  to  the 
other,  pulling  them  down  as  fast  as  they  rose,  and 
barking  so  furiously  that  the  Indians  were  terrified 
and  confounded  and  the  Spaniards  were  enabled  to 
overtake  ?nd  capture  them.  They  were  taken  back 
to  the  camp  and  examined  separately.  For  as  they 
were  armed,  the  Spaniards  ai)prehended  some  treach- 
ery ;  but  it  api)eared  that  their  sudden  flight  was  only 
by  way  of  ex[)l(Mt,  to  show  their  address  and  fleet- 


,  "  o 


ncss 

Ocali,  after  resisting  for  six  days  all  friendly  ad- 
vances, was  at  length  induced  to  visit  the  Spanish 
cam)).  He  was  received  by  De  Soto  with  the  great- 
«.sl  kindness,  and  every  effort  was  made  to  win  his 
confidence.  There  was  a  dee|>  and  wide  river  near 
the  village  which  it  was  necessary  for  the  Spaniards 
to  cross  in  their  advance.  De  Soto,  accompanied  by 
Ocali  and  several  of  his  subjects,  was  walking  on  the 
banks  of  this  stream  to  select  a  spot  for  crossing,  by 
means  of  a  bri<lge  or  raft,  when  a  large  number  o( 
Indians  sprang  up  from  the  bushes  on  the  opposite 
side,  and  assailing  them  with  insulting  and  reproach- 
iul  language,  discharged  a  volley  of  arrows  upon 
them,  by  which  one  of  the  Spaniards  was  wounded. 

Upon  J)e  Soto's  demanding  of  the  chief  the  mean- 

•  Irving's  Conquest  of  Florida,  p.  100. 


174 


DE    SOTO. 


ing  of  this  hostile  movement,  Ocali  replied,  that  they 
were  a  collection  of  his  mutinous  subjects,  who  had 
renounced  their  allegiance  to  him,  in  consequence  of 
his  friendship  for  the  Spaniards.  The  bloodhound, 
to  which  we  have  alluded,  that  had  so  sagaciously 
captured  the  four  Floridians,  was  in  the  company 
held  in  a  leash  by  one  of  the  servants  of  the  governor. 
The  moment  the  ferocious  animal  heard  the  yells  of 
the  Indians,  and  witnessed  their  hostile  actions,  by  a 
desperate  struggle  he  broke  from  his  keeper  and 
plunged  into  the  river.  In  vain  the  Spaniards  en- 
deavored to  call  him  back.  The  Indians  eagerly 
watched  his  approach,  and  as  he  drew  near  they 
showered  upon  him  such  a  volley  of  arrows,  that  more 
than  fifty  pierced  his  head  and  shoulders.  He  barely 
reached  the  land,  when  he  fell  dead.  The  army 
mourned  the  loss  of  the  sagacious,  fearless  and 
merciless  brute  as  if  he  had  been  one  of  the  most 
valiant  of  their  warriors. 

It  soon  became  evident  that  Ocali  had  but  slight 
influence  over  his  tribe.  De  Soto,  apprehensive  that 
it  might  be  thought  that  he  detained  him  against  his 
will,  advised  him  to  return  to  his  people,  assuring 
him  that  he  would  always  be  a  welcome  guest  in  the 
Spanish  camp.     He  left,  and  they  saw  him  no  more. 

Crossing  the  river  by  a  rude  bridge  constructed 
by  the  Spanish  engineers,  De  Soto  took  the  lead  with 


THE    MARCH    TO    OCIIILE. 


175 


a  hundred  horse  and  a  hundred  foot.  After  a  mon- 
otonous march  of  three  days  over  a  flat  country,  they 
came  to  a  very  extensive  province  called  Vitachuco, 
which  was  governed  in  common  by  three  brothers. 
The  principal  village,  Ochile,  was  rather  a  fortress 
than  a  village,  consisting  of  fifty  large  buildings 
strongly  constructed  of  timber.  It  was  a  frontier  mil- 
itary post ;  for  it  seems  that  this  powerful  tribe  was 
continually  embroiled  in  war  with  the  adjacent  prov- 
inces. Mr.  Williams,  in  his  History  of  Florida,  lo- 
cates Ochile  just  south  of  what  is  called  the  Allachua 
prairie.  ■  '         ' 

There  are  two  sources  of  information  upon  which 
we  are  dependent  for  most  of  the  facts  here  recorded. 
One  is,  the  "  History  of  Hernando  De  Soto,"  written 
by  the  Inca  Garcilaso  de  la  Vega.  He  was  the  son  of 
a  .Spanish  nobleman  and  of  a  Peruvian  lady  of  illus- 
trious rank.  His  narrative  was  written  as  related  to 
him,  by  a  triend  who  was  one  of  the  expedition. 
With  some  probable  exaggerations  it  is  generally 
deemed  authentic.  Mr.  Southey  describes  the  work 
as  one  of  the  most  delightful  in  the  Spanish  lan- 
guage. 

The  other  is  what  is  called  •*  The  Portuguese  Nar- 
rative." It  is  from  the  pen  of  an  anonymous  writer, 
who  declares  himself  to  have  been  a  Spanish  cavalier, 
and  that  he  describes  the  scenes  of  which  he  was  u."" 


176 


DE    SOTO. 


eye-witness.  Though  these  two  accounts  generally 
harmonize,  there  is  at  times  very  considerable  dis- 
crepancy between  their  statements.  In  the  extraor- 
dinary events  now  to  be  chronicled,  the  writer  has 
generally  endeavored  to  give  the  narrative,  as  has 
seemed  to  him  most  probable,  in  comparing  the  two 
accounts,  with  the  well-established  character  of  De 
Soto. 

The  advance  guard  of  the  Spanish  army  marched 
all  night,  and  just  before  the  dawn  of  the  morning, 
entered  the  silent  streets  of  Ochile.  Wishing  to  pro- 
duce as  deep  an  impression  as  possible  upon  the 
minds  of  the  Indians,  their  drums  were  beat,  and 
their  trumpets  emitted  their  loudest  blasts,  as  one 
hundred  horsemen  with  clattering  hoofs,  and  one 
hundred  footmen  with  resounding  arms,  startled  the 
citizens  from  their  repose.  To  these  simple  natives, 
it  must  have  been  a  scene  almost  as  astounding  as  if 
a  legion  of  adventurers,  from  the  star  Sirius,  .vcre  at 
midnight  to  make  their  appearance  in  the  streets  of 
a  European  city. 

The  house  of  the  chief  was  centrally  situated.  It 
was  a  large  mansion,  nearly  three  hundred  feet  in 
length  by  one  hundred  and  twenty  in  width.  There 
were  also  connected  with  it  quite  a  number  of  out- 
buildings of  very  considerable  dimensions. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  immediately   the   whole 


THE    MARCH    TO    OCIIII.E. 


177 


population  was  in  the  streets  in  a  state  of  utter 
amazement.  It  was  the  object  of  De  Soto  to  appear 
in  such  strength,  and  to  take  such  commanding;  posi- 
tions, as  would  prevent  any  assault  on  the  part  of  the 
Indians,  which  would  lead  to  bloodshed.  He  was 
well  informed  of  the  warlike  reputation  of  the  chief 
who  resided  there  ;  and  knew  that  in  that  fortress  he 
was  surrounded  by  a  numerous  band  of  warriors,  ever 
armed  and  always  ready  for  battle.  -  The  region 
around  was  densely  populated.  Should  the  chief  es- 
cape, determined  upon  hostility,  and  rally  his  troops 
around  him,  it  might  lead  to  sanguinary  scenes, 
greatly  to  be  deplored. 

De  Soto  immediately  held  an  interview  with  the 
chief;  treated  him  with  the  utmost  kindness  and  as- 
sured him  that  he  had  no  intention  of  inflicting  any 
injury  upon  him  or  any  of  his  subjects  ;  that  he 
sought  only  for  permission  to  pass  peaceably  and  un- 
molested through  his  realms.  The  soldiers  were 
strictly  enjoined  to  treat  the  natives  in  the  most 
friendly  manner,  and  not  to  allow  themselves,  by  any 
provocation  whatever,  to  be  drawn  into  a  conflict. 

The  chief  was  very  narrowly  watched,  that  he 
might  not  escape.  Still  he  was  unconscious  of  his 
captivity,  for  he  was  held  by  invisible  chains. 

During  the  following  day  the  main  body  of  the 

army  entered  Ochile  with  all  the  pomp  which  prancing 
8* 


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178 


DE    SOTO. 


horses  richly  accoutred,  gorgeous  uniforms,  bugle- 
blasts,  waving  banners,  and  glittering  armor  could 
present.  Ocile,  its  chief,  and  his  warriors  were  at  the 
mercy  of  the  Spaniards.  But  they  had  come  not  as 
conquerors,  but  as  peaceful  travellers,  with  smiles  and 
presents,  and  kindly  words.  Still  the  power  of  these 
uninvited  guests  was  very  manifest,  and  it  was  very 
evident  that  any  hostility  on  the  part  of  the  natives 
would  bring  down  upon  them  swift  destruction. 

It  so  happened,  that  the  youngest  of  the  three 
brother  chiefs  resided  at  Ochile.  At  the  suggestion 
of  De  Soto,  he  sent  couriers  to  his  two  brothers,  in- 
forming them  of  the  arrival  of  the  Spaniards,  of  their 
friendly  disposition,  and  of  their  desire  simply  to  pass 
through  the  country  unmolested.  At  the  same  time 
he  stated,  by  request  of  De  Soto,  that  the  strength  of 
the  Spaniards  was  such  that  they  were  "abundantly 
able  to  defend  themselves ;  and  that  should  any  at- 
tack be  made  upon  them,  it  would  lead  to  results 
which  all  would  have  occasion  to  deplore. 

The  capital  of  the  second  brother  was  not  far  dis- 
tant. In  three  days  he  came  to  Ochile,  decorated 
in  gorgeous  robes  of  state  and  accompanied  by  a  ret- 
inue of  his  warriors,  in  their  most  showy  costume. 
It  is  recorded  that  he  had  the  bearing  of  an  accom- 
plished gentleman,  and  seemed  as  much  at  ease 
amidst  the   wondrous  surroundings   of  the  Spanish 


THE    MARCH    TO    OCIIILE. 


179 


camp,  as  if  he  had  been  accustomed  to  them  all  his 
days.  He  entered  into  the  most  friendly  relations 
with  De  Soto  and  his  distinguished  officers,  and 
seemed  very  cordiaiiy  to  reciprocate  all  their  cour- 
teous attentions. 


CHAPTER  XL 


The  Conspiracy  and  its  Consequences. 


The  Three  Brother  Chieftains. — Reply  of  Vitachuco  to  his  Brothers.— 
Feigned  Friendship  for  the  Spaniards. — The  Conspiracy. — Its 
Consummation  and  Results. — Clemency  of  De  Soto. — The  Second 
Conspiracy. — Slaughter  of  the  Indians. — March  of  the  Spaniards 
for  Osachile. — Battle  in  the  Morass. 

Of  the  three  brothers  who  reigned  over  this  ex- 
tended territory  the  elder  bore  the  same  name  with 
the  province  which  he  governed,  which  was  Vitachuco, 
He  was  far  the  most  powerful  of  the  three,  in  both 
the  extent  and  populousness  of  his  domain.  His  two 
brothers  had  united  in  sending  an  embassy  to  him, 
earnestly  enjoining  the  expediency  of  cultivating 
friendly  relations  with  the  Spaniards.  The  following 
very  extraordinary  reply,  which  he  returned,  is  given 
by  Garcilaso  de  la  Vega.  And  though  he  says  he 
quotes  from  memory,  still  he  pledges  his  word  of  hon- 
or, that  it  is  a  truthful  record  of  the  message  Vita- 
chuco sent  back.  We  read  it  with  wonder,  as  it  indi- 
cates a  degree  of  mental  enlightenment,  which  we  had 
not  supposed  could  have  been  found  among  those 
semi-civilized  people. 

"  It  is  evident,"  said   the   chief  to  his   brothers, 


THE    CONSPIRACY. 


I8l 


"  that  you  are  young  and  have  neither  judgment 
nor  experience,  or  you  would  never  speak  as  you 
have  done  of  these  hated  white  men.  You  extol 
them  as  virtuous  men,  who  injure  no  one.  You  say 
that  they  are  vaHant ;  are  children  of  the  Sun,  and 
merit  all  our  reverence  and  service.  The  vile  chains 
which  they  have  hung  upon  you,  and  the  mean  and 
dastardly  spirit  which  you  have  acquired  during  the 
short  period  you  have  been  their  slaves,  have  caused 
you  to  speak  like  women,  lauding  what  you  should 
censure  and  abhor. 

"  You  remember  not  that  these  strangers  can  be 
no  better  than  those  who  formerly  committed  so 
many  cruelties  in  our  country.  Are  they  not  of  the 
same  nation  and  subject  to  the  same  laws  ?  Do  not 
their  manner  of  life  and  actions  prove  them  to  be  the 
children  of  the  spirit  of  evil,  and  not  of  the  Sun  and 
Moon — our  Gods .-'  Go  they  not  from  land  to  land 
plundering  and  destroying;  taking  the  wives  and 
daughters  of  others  instead  of  bringing  their  own 
with  them ;  and  like  mere  vagabonds  maintaining 
themselves  by  the  laborious  toil  and  sweating  brow 
of  others ! 

"  Were  they  virtuous,  as  you  represent,  they  never 
would  have  left  their  own  country ;  since  there  they 
might  have  practised  their  virtues  ;  planting  and  cul- 
tivating the  earth,  maintaining   themselves,  without 


l82 


DE   SOTO. 


prejudice  to  others  or  injury  to  themselves,  instead  of 
roving  about  the  world,  committing  robberies  and 
murders,  having  neither  the  shame  of  men  nor  the 
fear  of  God  before  them.  Warn  them  not  to  enter 
into  my  dominions.  Valiant  as  they  may  be,  if  they 
dare  to  put  foot  upon  my  soil,  they  shall  never  go  out 
of  my  land  alive." 

De  Soto  and  his  army  remained  eight  days  at 
Ochile.  By  unwearied  kindness,  he  so  won  the  confi- 
dence of  the  two  brother  chiefs,  that  they  went  in  per- 
son to  Vitachuco  to  endeavor  by  their  united  repre- 
sentations to  win  him  to  friendly  relations  with  the 
Spaniards.  Apparently  they  succeeded.  Vitachuco 
either  became  really  convinced  that  he  had  misjudged 
the  strangers,  or  feigned  reconciliation.  He  invited 
De  Soto  and  his  army  to  visit  his  territory,  assigning 
to  them  an  encampment  in  a  rich  and  blooming  val- 
ley. On  an  appointed  day  the  chief  advanced  to 
meet  them,  accompanied  by  his  two  brothers  and 
five  hundred  warriors,  in  the  richest  decorations'  and 
best  armament  of  military  art  as  then  understood  by 
the  Floridians. 

De  Soto  and  Vitachuco  were  about  of  the  same 
age  and  alike  magnificent  specimens  of  physical  man- 
hood. The  meeting  between  them  was  as  cordial  as 
if  they  had  always  been  friends.  The  Indian  warriors 
escorted  their  guests  from  their  encampment  to  the 


THE    CONSPIRACY. 


183 


capital.  It  consisted  of  two  hundred  spacious  edi- 
fices, strongly  built  of  hewn  timber.  Several  days 
were  passed  in  feasting  and  rejoicing,  when  Juan  Or- 
tiz informed  the  governor  that  some  friendly  Indians 
had  revealed  to  him  that  a  plot  had  been  formed, by 
Vitachuco,for  the  entire  destruction  of  the  Spanish 
army. 

The  chief  was  to  assemble  his  warriors,  to  the 
number  of  about  ten  thousand,  upon  an  extensive 
plain,  just  outside  the  city,  ostensibly  to  gratify  De 
Soto  with  the  splendors  of  a  peaceable  parade.  To 
disarm  all  suspicion,  they  were  to  appear  without  any 
weapons  of  war,  which  weapons  were  however  pre- 
viously to  be  concealed  in  the  long  grass  of  the 
prairie.  De  Soto  was  to  be  invited  to  walk  out  with 
the  chief  to  witness  the  spectacle.  Twelve  very  pow- 
erful Indians,  with  concealed  arms,  were  to  accompa- 
ny the  chief  or  to  be  near  at  hand.  It  was  supposed 
that  the  pageant  would  call  out  nearly  all  the  Span- 
iards, and  that  they  would  be  carelessly  sauntering 
over  the  plain.  At  a  given  signal,  the  twelve  Indians 
were  to  rush  upon  De  Soto,  and  take  him  captive  if 
possible,  or  if  it  were  inevitable,  put  him  to  death. 

At  the  same  moment  the  whole  band  of  native 
warriors,  grasping  their  arms,  was  to  rush  upon  the 
Spaniards  in  overpowering  numbers  of  ten  to  one.  In 
this  way  it  was  supposed  that  every  man  could  speed- 


1 84 


DE    SOTO. 


ily  be  put  to  death  or  captured.  Those  who  were 
taken  prisoners  were  to  be  exposed  to  the  utmost  in- 
genuity of  Indian  torture. 

This  seemed  a  very  plausible  story.  De  Soto, 
upon  careful  inquiry,  became  satisfied  of  its  truth. 
He  consulted  his  captains,  and  decided  to  be  so  pre- 
pared for  the  emergence,  that  should  he  be  thus  at- 
tacked, the  Indian  chief  would  fall  into  the  trap  which 
he  had  prepared  for  his  victims. 

The  designated  day  arrived.  The  sun  rose  in  a 
cloudless  sky  and  a  gentle  breeze  swept  the  prairie. 
Early  in  the  morning,  Vitachuco  called  upon  De  Soto, 
Ttnd  very  obsequiously  solicited  him  to  confer  upon 
him  the  honor  of  witnessing  a  grand  muster  of  his 
subjects.  He  said  they  would  appear  entirely  un- 
armed, but  he  wished  De  Soto  to  witness  their  evolu- 
tions, that  he  might  compare  them  with  the  military 
drill  of  European  armies.  De  Soto,  assuming  a  very 
friendly  and  unsuspicious  air,  assured  the  chief,  that 
he  should  be  very  happy  to  witness  the  pageant.  And 
to  add  to  its  imposing  display,  and  in  his  turn  to  do 
something  to  interest  the  natives,  he  said  he  would 
call  out  his  whole  force  of  infantry  and  cavalry,  and 
arrange  them  in  full  battle  array  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  plain. 

The  chief  was  evidently  much  embarrassed  by  this 
proposition,  but  he  did  not  venture  to  present  any  ob- 


THE    CONSPIRACY. 


185 


stacles.  Knowing  the  valor  and  ferocity  of  his  troops, 
he  still  thought  that  with  De  Soto  as  his  captive,  he 
could  crush  the  Spaniards  by  overwhelming  numbers. 
Matters  being  thus  arranged,  the  whole  Spanish 
army,  in  its  most  glittering  array,  defiled  upon  the 
plain.  De  Soto  was  secretly  well  armed.  Servants 
were  ready  with  two  of  the  finest  horses  to  rush  to 
his  aid.  A  body-guard  of  twelve  of  his  most  stalwart 
men  loitered  carelessly  around  him. 

At  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  De  Soto  and  Vita- 
chuco  walked  out,  side  by  side,  accompanied  by  their 
few  attendants  and  ascended  a  slight  eminence  which 
commanded  a  view  of  the  field.  Notwithstanding  the 
careless  air  assumed  by  De  Soto,  he  was  watching 
every  movement  of  Vitachuco  with  intensest  interest. 
The  instant  the  Indian  chief  gave  his  signal,  his  at- 
tendants rushed  upon  De  Soto,  and  his  ten  thousand 
warriors  grasped  their  arrows  and  javelins,  and  with 
the  hideous  war-whoop  rushed  upon  the  Spaniards. 
But  at  the  same  instant  a  bugle  blast,  echoing  over 
the  plain,  put  the  whole  Spanish  army  in  motion  in 
an  impetuous  charge.  The  two  signals  for  the  deadly 
conflict  seemed  to  be  simultaneous.  The  body-guard 
of  De  Soto,  with  their  far  superior  weapons,  not  only 
repelled  the  Indian  assailants,  but  seized  and  bound 
Vitachuco  as  their  captive.  De  Soto  lost  not  a  mo- 
ment in  mounting  a  horse,  led  to  him  by  his  servant. 


1 86 


DE    SOTO. 


But  the  noble  animal  fell  dead  beneath  him,  pierced 
by  many  arrows.  Another  steed  was  instantly  at  his 
side,  and  Dc  Soto  was  at  the  head  of  his  cavalry,  lead- 
ing the  charge.  Never,  perhaps,  before,  did  so  terri- 
ble a  storm  burst  thus  suddenly  from  so  serene  a  sky. 

The  natives  fought  with  valor  and  ferocity  which 
could  not  be  surpassed  even  by  the  Spaniards.  All 
the  day  long  the  sanguinary  battle  raged,  until  ter- 
minated by  the  darkness  of  the  night.  The  field  was 
bordered,  on  one  side,  by  a  dense  forest,  and  on  the 
other  by  a  large  body  of  water,  consisting  of  two 
lakes.  Some  of  the  natives  escaped  into  the  almost 
impenetrable  forest.  Many  were  drowned.  Several 
of  the  young  men,  but  eighteen  years  of  age,  who 
were  taken  captive, — the  sons  of  chiefs, — developed 
a  heroism  of  character  which  attracted  the  highest  ad- 
miration of  De  Soto.  They  fought  to  the  last  possi- 
ble moment,  and  when  finally  captured,  expressed 
great  regret  that  they  had  not  been  able  to  die  for 
their  country.     They  said  to  their  conqueror, 

"  If  you  wish  to  add  to  your  favors,  take  our  lives. 
After  surviving  the  defeat  and  capture  of  our  chief- 
tain, we  are  not  worthy  to  appear  before  him,  or  to 
live  in  the  world." 

It  is  said  that  De  Soto  was  greatly  moved  with 
compassion  in  view  of  the  calamity  which  had  befal- 
len these  noble  young  men.     He  embraced  them 


THE    CONSPIRACY. 


187 


with  parental  tenderness,  and  commended  their  valor, 
which  he  regarded  as  proof  of  their  noble  blood. 

"  P'or  two  days,"  writes  Mr.  Irving,  "  he  detained 
them  in  the  camp,  feasting  them  at  his  table  and 
treating  them  with  every  distinction ;  at  the  end  of 
which  time  he  dismissed  them  with  presents  of  linen, 
cloths,  silks,  mirrors  and  other  articles  of  Spanish 
manufacture.  He  also  sent  by  them  presents  to 
their  fathers  and  relations,  with  proffers  of  friend- 
ship." 

De  Soto  had  succeeded  in  capturing  four  of  the 
most  distinguished  captains  of  Vitachuco.  They  had 
been  ostensibly  the  friends  of  the  Spaniard,  had  ate 
at  his  table  and  had  apparently  reciprocated  all  his 
kindly  words  and  deeds.  While  thus  deceiving  him, 
they  had  cooperated  with  Vitachuco  for  his  destruc- 
tion. De  Soto  summoned  them  with  their  chief  be- 
fore him. 

"  He  reproached  them,"  says  Mr.  Irving  "  with  the 
treacherous  and  murderous  plot,  devised  against  him 
and  his  soldiers,  at  a  time  when  they  were  professing 
the  kindest  amity.  Such  treason,  he  observed,  mer- 
ited death;  yet  he  wished  to  give  the  natives  evi- 
dence of  his  clemency.  He  pardoned  them,  there- 
fore, and  restored  them  to  his  friendship ;  warning 
them,  however,  to  beware  how  they  again  deceived 
him,  or  trespassed  against  the  safety  and  welfare  of 


1 88 


DE    SOTO. 


the  Spaniards,  lest  they  should  bring  down  upon 
themselves  dire  and  terrible  revenge." 

Vitachuco  was  now  a  captive.  Yet  notwithstand- 
ing the  conspiracy  which  had  led  to  such  deplorable 
results,  De  Soto  treated  him  with  great  kindness,  giv- 
ing him  a  seat  at  his  own  table,  and  endeavoring  in 
all  ways  to  obliterate  the  remembrance  of  the  con- 
flict. De  Soto  was  in  search  of  gold.  He  had  heard 
of  mountains  of  that  precious  metal  far  away  in  the 
interior.  The  natives  had  no  wealth  which  he  desired 
to  plunder.  Their  hostility  he  exceedingly  depre- 
cated, as  it  deprived  him  of  food,  cf  comforts,  and 
exposed  his  little  band  to  the  danger  of  being  cut  off 
and  annihilated,  as  were  the  troops  of  Narvaez,  who 
had  preceded  him.  The  past  career  of  De  Soto 
proves,  conclusively,  that  he  was  by  nature  a  humane 
man,  loving  what  he  conceived  to  be  justice. 

Under  these  circumstances,  a  wise  policy  de- 
manded that  he  should  do  what  he  could  to  concili- 
ate the  natives  before  he  advanced  in  his  adventurous 
journey,  leaving  them,  if  hostile,  disposed  to  cut  off 
his  return.  It  is  said  that  nine  hundred  of  the  most 
distinguished  warriors  of  Vitachuco  were  virtually 
enslaved,  one  of  whom  was  assigned  to  each  of  the 
Spaniards,  to  serve  him  in  the  camp  and  at  the  table. 
Such  at  least  is  the  story  as  it  comes  down  to  us.  Vi- 
tachuco formed  the  plan  again  to  assail  the  Spaniards 


TFTE    CONSPIRACY. 


189 


by  a  concerted  action  at  the  dinner-table.  Every 
warrior  was  to  be  ready  to  surprise  and  seize  his 
master,  and  put  him  to  death.  There  is  much  in  this 
narrative  which  seems  improbable.  We  will,  however, 
give  it  to  our  readers  as  recorded  by  Mr.  Irving  in  his 
very  carefully  written  history  of  the  Conquest  of 
Florida.  We  know  not  how  it  can  be  presented  in  a 
more  impartial  mann^i. 

"  Scarcely  '  :  d  Vitachuco  conceived  this  rash 
scheme  than  he  hastened  to  put  it  into  operation.  He 
had  four  young  Indians  to  attend  him  as  pages. 
These  he  sent  to  the  principal  prisoners,  revealing 
his  plan,  with  orders  that  they  should  pass  it  secretly 
and  adroitly  from  one  to  another,  and  hold  themselves 
in  readiness,  at  the  appointed  time,  to  carry  it  into 
effect.  The  dinner  hour  of  the  third  day  was  the 
time  fixed  upon  for  striking  the  blow.  Vitachuco 
would  be  dining  with  the  governor,  and  the  Indians 
in  general  attending  upon  their  respective  masters. 

"  The  cacique  was  to  watch  his  opportunity, 
spring  upon  the  governor  and  kill  him,  giving  at  the 
moment  of  assault  a  war-whoop  which  should  resound 
throughout  the  village.  The  war-whoop  was  to  be 
the  signal  for  every  Indian  to  grapple  with  his  master 
or  with  any  other  Spaniard  at  hand  and  dispatch  him 
on  the  spot. 

"  On  the  day  appointed  Vitachuco  dined  as  usual 


190 


DE    SOTO. 


with  the  governor.  When  the  repast  was  concluded, 
he  sprang  upon  his  feet,  closed  instantly  with  the 
governor,  seized  him  with  the  left  hand  by  the  collar, 
and  with  the  other  fist  dealt  him  such  a  blow  in  the 
face  as  to  level  him  with  the  ground,  the  blood  gush- 
ing out  of  eyes,  nose  and  mouth.  The  cacique  threw 
himself  upon  his  victim  to  finish  his  work,  giving  at 
the  same  time  his  signal  war-whoop. 

"  All  this  was  the  work  of  an  instant ;  and  before 
the  officers  present  had  time  to  recover  from  their 
astonishment,  the  governor  lay  senseless  beneath  the 
tiger  grasp  of  Vitachuco.  One  more  blow  from  the 
savage  would  have  been  fatal ;  but  before  he  could 
give  it  a  dozen  swords  and  lances  were  thrust  through 
his  body,  and  he  fell  dead. 

"  The  war-whoop  had  resounded  through  the  vil- 
lage. Hearing  the  fatal  signal,  the  Indians,  attend- 
ing upon  their  masters,  assailed  them  with  whatever 
missile  they  could  command.  Some  seized  upon 
pikes  and  swords  ;  others  snatched  up  the  pots  in 
which  meal  was  stewing  at  the  fire,  and  beating  the 
Spaniards  about  the  head,  bruised  and  scalded  them 
at  the  same  time.  Some  caught  up  plates,  pitchers, 
jars,  and  the  pestles  wherewith  they  pounded  the 
maize.  Others  .seized  upon  stools,  benches  and  ta- 
bles, striking  with  impotent  fury,  when  their  weapons 
had  not  the  power  to  harm.      Others  snatched  up 


THE    CONSPIRACY. 


191 


burning  fire-brands,  and  rushed  like  very  devils  into 
the  affray.  Many  of  the  Spaniards  were  terribly 
burned,  bruised  and  scalded.  Some  had  their  arms 
broken." 

This  terrible  conflict  was  of  short  duration. 
Though  the  Spaniards  were  taken  by  surprise,  they 
were  not  unarmed.  Their  long  keen  sabres  gave 
them  a  great  advantage  over  their  assailants.  Though 
several  were  slain,  and  many  more  severely  wounded, 
the  natives  were  soon  overpowered.  The  exasperated 
Spaniards  were  not  disposed  to  show  much  mercy. 
In  these  two  conflicts  with  the  Indians,  Vitachuco  fell, 
and  thirteen  hundred  of  his  ablest  warriors. 

De  Soto  had  received  so  terrific  a  blow,  that  for 
half  an  hour  he  remained  insensible.  The  gigantic 
fist  of  the  savage  had  awfully  bruised  his  face,  knock- 
ing out  several  of  his  teeth.  It  was  four  days  before 
he  recovered  sufficient  strength  to  continue  his  march 
and  twenty  days  elapsed  before  he  could  take  any 
solid  food.  On  the  fifth  day  after  this  great  disaster 
the  Spaniards  resumed  their  journeyings  in  a  north- 
west direction,  in  search  of  a  province  of  which  they 
had  heard  favorable  accounts,  called  Osachile.  The 
first  day  they  advanced  but  about  twelve  miles, 
encamping  upon  the  banks  of  a  broad  and  deep  river, 
which  is  suppos'  d  to  have  been  the  Suwanee. 

A  band  of  Indians  was  upon  the  opposite  side  of 


192 


DE    SOTO. 


the  stream  evidently  in  hostile  array.  The  Spaniards 
spent  a  day  and  a  half  in  constructing  rafts  to  float 
them  across.  They  approached  the  shore  in  such 
strength,  that  the  Indians  took  to  flight,  without  as- 
sailing them.  Having  crossed  the  river  they  entered 
upon  a  prairie  country  of  fertile  soil,  where  the  indus- 
trious Indians  had  many  fields  well  filled  with  corn, 
beans  and  pumpkins.  But  as  they  journeyed  on,  the 
Indians,  in  small  bands,  assailed  them  at  every  point 
from  which  an  unseen  arrow  or  javelin  could  be 
thrown.  The  Spaniards,  on  their  march,  kept  in 
quite  a  compact  body,  numbering  seven  or  eight  hun- 
dred men,  several  hundred  of  whom  were  mounted 
on  horses  gayly  caparisoned,  which  animals,  be  it  re- 
membered, the  Indians  had  never  before  seen. 

After  proceeding  about  thirty  miles  through  a 
pretty  well  cultivated  country,  with  scattered  farm- 
houses, they  came  to  quite  an  important  Indian  town 
called  Osachile.  It  contained  about  two  hundred 
houses  ;  but  the  terrified  inhabitants  had  fled,  taking 
with  them  their  most  valuable  effects,  and  utter  soli- 
tude reigned  in  its  streets. 

The  country  was  generally  flat,  though  occasion- 
ally it  assumed  a  little  of  the  character  of  what  is 
called  the  rolling  prairie.  The  Indian  towns  were  al- 
ways built  upon  some  gentle  swell  of  land.  Where 
this  could  not  be  found,  they  often  constructed  arti- 


THE    CONSPIRACY. 


193 


ficial  mounds  of  earth,  sufficient  in  extent  to  contain 
from  ten  to  twenty  houses.  Upon  one  of  these  the 
chief  and  his  immediate  attendants  would  rear  their 
dwellings,  while  the  more  humble  abodes  of  the  com- 
mon people,  were  clustered  around.  At  Osachile 
De  Soto  found  an  ample  supply  of  provisions,  and  he 
remained  there  two  days. 

It  is  supposed  that  Oaschile  was  at  the  point 
now  called  Old  Town.  Here  De  Soto  was  inform- 
ed by  captive  Indians  that  about  thirty  leagues  to 
the  west  there  was  a  very  rich  and  populous  country 
called  Appalachee.  The  natives  were  warlike  in  the 
highest  degree,  spreading  the  terror  of  their  name 
through  all  the  region  around.  Gold  was  said  to 
abound  there.  The  country  to  be  passed  through, 
before  reaching  that  territory,  was  filled  with  gloomy 
swamps  and  impenetrable  thickets,  where  there  was 
opportunity  for  ambuscades.  De  Soto  was  told  that 
the  Appalachians  would  certainly  destroy  his  whole 
army  should  he  attempt  to  pass  through  those  bar- 
riers and  enter  their  borders. 

This  peril  was  only  an  incentive  to  the  adventu- 
rous spirit  of  the  Spanish  commander.  To  abandon 
the  enterprise  and  return  without  the  gold,  wofid  be 
not  only  humiliating,  but  would  be  his  utter  ruin.  He 
had  already  expended  in  the  undertaking  all  that  he 
possessed.     He  had  no  scruples  of  conscience  to  re- 


194 


DE    SOTO. 


tard  his  march,  however  sanguinary  the  hostility  of 
the  natives  might  render  it.  It  was  the  doctrine  of 
the  so-called  church  at  Rome,  that  Christians  were  en- 
titled to  the  possessions  of  the  heathen  ;  and  though 
De  Soto  himself  by  no  means  professed  to  be  actu- 
ated by  that  motive,  the  principle  unquestionably  in- 
fluenced nearly  his  whole  army. 

But  he  did  assume  that  he  was  a  peaceful  travel- 
ler, desiring  to  cultivate  only  friendly  relations  with 
the  natives,  and  that  he  had  a  right  to  explore  this 
wilderness  of  the  new  world  in  search  of  those  pre- 
cious medals  of  which  the  natives  knew  not  the  value, 
but  which  were  of  so  much  importance  to  the  interest 
of  all  civilized  nations. 

For  three  days  the  Spaniards  toiled  painfully  along 
over  an  arid,  desert  plain,  beneath  a  burning  sun. 
About  noon  on  the  fourth  day  they  reached  a  vast 
swamp,  probably  near  the  Estauhatchee  river.  This 
swamp  was  bordered  by  a  gloomy  forest,  with  gigantic 
trees,  and  a  dense,  impervious  underbrush,  e .  cr  stim- 
ulated to  wonderful  luxuriance  by  an  almost  tropical 
sun  and  a  moist  and  spongy  soil.  Through  this  mo- 
rass the  Indians,  during  generations  long  since  passed 
away,  had  constructed  a  narrow  trail  or  path  about 
three  feet  wide.  This  passage,  on  both  sides,  was 
walled  up  by  thorny  and  entangled  vegetation  almost 
as  impenetrable  as  if  it  were  brick  or  stone. 


THE    CONSPIRACY. 


195 


In  the  centre  of  this  gloomy  forest,  there  was  a 
sheet  of  shallow  water  about  a  mile  and  a  half  in 
width  and  extending  north  and  south  as  far  as  the  eye  -« 
could  reach.  The  Indians  had  discovered  a  ford 
across  this  lake  till  they  came  to  the  main  channel  in 
the  centre,  which  was  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
feet  wide.  This  channel,  in  the  motionless  waters, 
was  passed  by  a  rude  bridge  consisting  of  trees  tied 
together. 

De  Soto  encamped  on  the  borders  of  this  gloomy 
region  for  a  short  time  to  become  acquainted  with  the 
route  and  to  force  the  passage.  There  were  various 
spots  where  the  Indians,  familiar  with  the  whole  re- 
gion, lay  in  ambush.  From  their  unseen  coverts, 
they  could  assail  the  Spaniards  with  a  shower  of  ar- 
rows as  they  defiled  through  the  narrow  pass,  and 
escape  beyond  any  possibility  of  pursuit.  Compelling 
some  Indians  to  operate  as  guides,  under  penalty  of 
being  torn  to  ^  "sees  by  bloodhounds,  De  Soto  com- 
menced his  march  just  after  midnight.  Two  hundred 
picked  men  on  foot,  but  carefully  encased  in  armor, 
led  the  advance  in  a  long  line  two  abreast.  Every 
man  was  furnished  with  his  day's  allowance  of  food  in 
the  form  of  roasted  kernels  of  corn.  They  pressed 
along  through  a  path  which  they  could  not  lose,  and 
from  which  they  could  not  wander,  till  they  reached 
the  lake.     Here  the  guides  led  them  along  by  a  nar- 


Wh 


196 


Dli    SOTO. 


row  ford,  up  to  their  waists  in  water,  till  they  reached 
the  bridge  of  logs.  The  advance-guard  had  just 
passed  over  this  bridge  when  the  day  dawned,  and  they 
were  discovered  by  the  Indians,  who  had  not  supposed 
they  would  attempt  to  cross  the  morass  by  night. 

The  Appalachian  warriors,  with  hideous  yells  and 
great  bravery,  rushed  into  the  lake  to  meet  their 
foes.  Here  Spaniard  and  Floridian  grappled  in  the 
death  struggle  up  to  their  waists  in  water.  The 
steel-clad  Spaniards,  with  their  superior  arms,  pre- 
vailed, and  the  natives  rei)ulsed,  rushed  into  the  nar- 
row defile  upon  the  other  .side  of  the  lake.  The 
main  body  of  the  army  pressed  on,  though  contin- 
ually and  fiercely  assailed  by  the  arrows  of  the  In- 
dians. Arriving  at  a  point  where  there  was  an  ex- 
panse of  tolerably  dry  ground,  Dc  Soto  sent  into  the 
forests  around  forty  skirmishers  to  keep  off  the  In- 
dians, while  a  hundred  and  fifty  men  were  employed 
in  felling  trees  and  burning  brush,  in  preparation  for 
an  encampment  for  the  night. 

Exhausted  by  the  toil  of  the  march  and  of  the 
battle ;  drenched  with  the  waters  of  the  lake  ;  many  of 
them  suffering  from  wounds,  they  threw  themselves 
down  upon  the  hot  and  sm(iuldering  soil  for  sleep. 
But  there  was  no  repose  for  th<^m  that  night.  Dur- 
ing all  the  hours  of  darkness,  the  prowling  natives 
kept  up  a  continuous  clamor,  with  ever  recurring  as- 


THE   CONSPIRACY. 


197 


saults.  With  the  first  dawn  of  the  morning  the 
Spaniards  resumed  their  march,  anxious  to  get  out 
of  the  defile  and  into  the  open  prairie  beyond,  where 
they  could  avail  themselves  of  their  horses,  of  which 
the  Indians  stood  in  great  dread.  As  they  gradually 
emerged  from  the  impenetrable  thicket  into  the  more 
open  forest,  the  army  could  be  spread  out  more 
effectually,  and  the  horesmen  could  be  brought  a  lit- 
tle more  into  action.  But  here  the  valor  of  the  na- 
tives did  not  forsake  them. 

"  As  soon  as  the  Spaniards,"  writes  Mr.  Irving, 
"entered  this  more  open  woodland,  they  were  as- 
sailed by  showers  of  arrows  on  every  side.  The  In- 
dians, scattered  about  among  the  thickets,  sallied 
forth,  plied  their  bows  with  intense  rapidity,  and 
plunged  again  into  the  forest.  The  horses  were  of 
no  avail.  The  arquebusiers  and  archers  seemed  no 
longer  a  terror ;  for  in  the  time  a  Spaniard  could  make 
one  discharge,  and  reload  his  musket  or  place  another 
bolt  in  his  cross-bow,  an  Indian  would  launch  six  or 
seven  arrows.  Scarce  had  one  arrow  taken  flight 
before  another  was  in  the  bow.  For  two  long  leagues 
did  the  Spaniards  toil  and  fight  their  way  forward 
through  this  forest. 

"  Irritated  and  mortified  by  these  galling  attacks 
and  the  impossibility  of  xctaliating,  at  length  they 
emerged  into  an  open  and  level  country.     Here,  over- 


198 


DE    SOTO, 


joyed  at  being  freed  from  this  forest  prison,  they  gave 
reins  to  their  horses,  and  free  vent  to  their  smothered 
rage,  and  scoured  the  plain,  lancing  and  cutting  down 
every  Indian  they  encountered.  But  few  of  the  ene- 
my were  taken  prisoners,  many  were  put  to  the 
sword." 


CHAPTER  XII. 


Winter   Qtnrfers. 


Incidents  of  the  March. — Passage  of  the  River. — Entering  Anhayea. — 
Exploring  Expeditions. — De  Soto's  desire  for  Peace. — Capture  of 
Capifi. — His  Escape. — Embarrassments  of  De  Soto. — Letter  of 
Isabella. — Exploration  of  the  Coast. — Discovery  of  the  Bay  of  Pen- 
sacola. — Testimony  Respecting  Cafachique. — The  March  Resumed. 


The  Spaniards  now  entered  upon  a  beautiful  and 
highly  cultivated  region,  waving  with  fields  of  corn 
and  adorned  with  many  pleasant  villages  and  scat- 
tered farm-houses.  It  seemed  to  be  the  abode  of 
peace,  plenty  and  happiness.  It  certainly  might  have 
been  such,  but  for  the  wickedness  of  man.  Wearied 
with  their  long  march  and  almost  incessant  battle,  the 
Spaniards  encamped  in  the  open  plain,  where  their 
horsemen  would  be  able  to  beat  off  assaults. 

But  the  night  brought  them  no  repose.  It  was 
necessary  to  keep  a  large  force  mounted  and  ready 
for  conflict.  The  natives,  in  large  numbers,  surroun- 
ded them,  menacing  an  attack  from  every  quarter, 
repeatedly  drawing  near  enough  in  the  darkness  to 
throw  their  arrows  into  the  camp,  and  keeping  up  an 
incessant   and   hideous   howling.     After  a   sleepless 


^oo 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


night,  with  the  earliest  light  of  the  morning  they  re- 
sumed their  march  along  a  very  comfortable  road, 
which  led  through  extensive  fields  of  corn,  beans, 
pumpkins  and  other  vegetables.  The  prairie  spread 
out  before  them  in  its  beautiful,  level  expanse,  till 
lost  in  the  distant  horizon.  All  the  day  long  their 
march  was  harassed  by  bands  of  natives  springing  up 
from  ambush  in  the  dense  corn-fields  which  effectu- 
ally concealed  them  from  view.  Many  were  the 
bloody  conflicts  in  which  the  natives  were  cut  down 
mercilessly,  and  still  their  ferocity  and  boldness  con- 
tinued unabated. 

After  thus  toiling  on  for  six  miles  the  Spaniards 
approached  a  deep  stream,  supposed  to  be  the  river 
Uche.  It  was  crossed  by  a  narrow  ford  with  deep 
water  above  and  below.  Here  the  natives  had  con- 
structed palisades,  and  interposed  other  obstacles, 
behind  which,  with  their  arrows  and  javelins,  they 
seemed  prepared  to  make  a  desperate  resistance.  De 
Soto,  after  carefully  reconnoitering  the  position,  se- 
lected a  number  of  horsemen,  who  were  most  effectually 
protected  with  their  steel  armor,  and  sent  them  for- 
ward, with  shields  on  one  arm,  and  with  swords  and 
hatchets  to  hew  away  these  obstructions,  which  were 
all  composed  of  wood.  Though  several  of  the  Span- 
iards were  slain  and  many  wounded,  they  effected  a 
passage,    when    the    mounted    horsemen    plunged 


.  WINTER   QUARTERS. 


201 


through  the  opening,  put  the  Indians  to  flight  and 
cut  them  down  with  great  slaughter. 

Continuing  their  march,  on  the  other  side  of  the 
river,  for  a  distance  of  about  six  miles  through  the 
same  fertile  and  well  populated  region,  they  were  ad- 
monished by  the  approach  of  night,  again  to  seek  an 
encampment.     The  night  was  dark  and  gloomy.    All 
were  deeply  depressed  in  spirits.    An  incessant  battle 
seemed  their  destiny.  The  golden  mountains  of  which 
they  were  in  pursuit  were  ever  vanishing  away.    They 
were  on  the  same  path  which  had  previously  been 
traversed  by  the  cruel  but  energetic  Narvaez,  and 
where   his   whole    company   had   been    annihilated, 
leaving  but  four  or  five  to  tell  the  tale  of  the  awful 
tragedy. 

Dreadful  as  were  the  woes  which  these  adventur- 
ers had  brought  upon  the  Indians,  still  more  terrible 
were  the  calamities  in  which  they  had  involved  them- 
selves. They  were  now  three  hundred  miles  from 
Tampa  Bay.  Loud  murmurs  began  to  rise  in  the 
camp.  Nearly  all  demanded  to  return.  But,  for  De 
Soto,  the  abandonment  of  the  enterprise  was  dis- 
grace, and  apparently  irretrievable  ruin.  There  was 
scarcely  any  condition  of  life  more  to  be  deplored 
than  that  of  an  impoverished  nobleman.  De  Soto 
was  therefore  urged  onward  by  the  energies  of  de- 
spair. 


202 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


Again  through  all  the  hours  of  the  night,  they 
were  exposed  to  an  incessant  assault  from  their  un- 
wearied foes.  From  their  captives  they  learned  that 
they  were  but  six  miles  from  the  village  of  Anhayea, 
where  their  chief,  Capafi,  resided.  This  was  the  first 
instance  in  which  they  heard  of  a  chief  who  did  not 
bear  the  same  name  as  the  town  in  which  he  dwelt. 
Early  in  the  morning,  De  Soto,  with  two  hundred 
mounted  cavaliers  and  one  hundred  footmen,  led  the 
advance,  and  soon  entered  the  village,  which  consist- 
ed of  two  hundred  and  fifty  houses,  well  built  and 
of  large  size. 

At  one  end  of  the  village  stood  the  dwelling  of 
the  chief,  which  was  quite  imposing  in  extent, 
though  not  in  the  grandeur  of  its  architecture.  The 
chief  and  all  his  men  had  fled,  and  the  Spaniards  en- 
tered deserted  streets.  The  army  remained  here  for 
several  days,  finding  abundance  of  food.  Still  they 
were  harassed,  day  and  night,  by  the  indomitable 
energy  of  the  natives.  Two  well  armed  expeditions 
were  sent  out  to  explore  the  country  on  the  north 
and  the  west,  for  a  distance  of  forty  or  fifty  miles, 
while  a  third  was  dispatched  to  the  south  in  search 
of  the  ocean. 

Anhayea,  where  the  main  body  of  the  army 
took  up  its  quarters,  is  supposed  to  have  been  near 
the  present  site  of  the  city  of  Tallahassee.     The  two 


WINTER   QUARTERS. 


203 


first  expeditions  sent  out,  returned,  one  in  eiglit  and 
the  other  in  nine  days,  bringing  back  no  favorable 
report.  The  other,  sent  in  search  of  the  ocean,  was 
absent  much  longer,  and  De  Soto  became  very  ap- 
prehensive that  it  had  been  destroyed  by  the  natives. 

Through  many  perilous  and  wild  adventures,  being 
often  betrayed  and  led  astray  by  their  guides,  they 
reached,  after  a  fortnight's  travel,  the  head  of  the  bay 
now  called  St.  Mark's.  Here  they  found  vestiges  of 
the  adventurers  who  had  perished  in  the  ill-fated 
Narvaez  expedition.  There  was  a  fine  harbor  to 
which  reinforcements  and  fresh  supplies  of  ammunition 
might  be  sent  to  them  by  ships  from  Cuba,  or  from 
Tampa  Bay.  With  these  tidings  they  hurried  back 
to  Anhayea.      '^ 

They  had  now  reached  the  month  of  November, 
1539.  The  winter  in  these  regions,  though  short,  had 
often  days  of  such  excessive  cold  that  men  upon  the 
open  prairie,  exposed  to  bleak  winds  called  northers, 
often  perished  from  the  severity  of  the  weather. 
De  Soto  resolved  to  establish  himself  in  winter-quar- 
ters at  Anhayea.  With  his  suite  he  occupied  the 
palace  of  the  chief.  The  other  houses  were  appro- 
priated to  the  soldiers  for  their  barracks.  He  threw 
up  strong  fortifications  and  sent  out  foraging  parties 
into  the  region  around,  for  a  supply  of  provisions. 
As  we  have  no  intimation  that  any  payment  was 


204 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


'  made,  this  was  certainly  robbery.  Whatever  may  be 
said  of  the  necessities  of  his  case,  it  was  surely  unjust 
to  rob  the  Indians  of  their  harvests.  Still,  De  Soto 
should  not  be  condemned  unheard ;  and  while  we 
have  no  evidence  that  he  paid  the  natives  for  the 
food  he  took  from  them,  still  we  have  no  proof  that 
he  did  not  do  so. 

In  accordance  with  his  invariable  custom,  he  made 
strenuous  efforts  to  win  the  confidence  of  the  natives. 
Through  captive  Indians  he  sent  valuable  presents  to 
the  chief  Capafi  in  his  retreat,  and  also  assurances 
that  he  sought  only  friendly  relations  between  them. 
The  chief,  however,  was  in  no  mood  to  give  any 
cordial  response  to  these  advances.  He  had  taken 
refuge  in  a  dense  forest,  surrounded  by  dismal  morass- 
es, which  could  only  be  traversed  by  a  narrow  pass 
known  only  to  the  Indians,  where  his  warriors  in  am- 
bush might  easily  arrest  the  march  of  the  whole  army 
of  Spaniards.  The  brutal  soldiery  of  Narvaez  had 
taught  them  to  hate  the  Spaniards. 

He  kept  up  an  incessant  warfare,  sending  out 
from  his  retreat  fierce  bands  to  assail  the  invaders 
by  day  and  by  night,  never  allowing  them  one 
moment  of  repose.  Many  of  the  Spaniards  were 
slain.  But  they  always  sold  their  lives  very  dearly, 
so  that  probably  ten  natives  perished  to  one  of  the 
Spaniards.     There  was  nothing  gained  by  this  car- 


WINTER  QUARTERS. 


205 


nage.  De  Soto  was  anxious  to  arrest  it.  Every 
consideration  rendered  it  desirable  for  him  to  have 
the  good  will  of  the  natives.  Peace  and  friendship 
would  enable  him  to  press  forward  with  infinitely 
less  difficulty  in  search  of  his  imaginary  mountains 
of  gold  and  silver,  and  would  greatly  facilitate  his 
establishment  of  a  colony  around  the  waters  of  some 
beautiful  bay  in  the  Gulf,  whence  he  could  ship. his 
treasures  to  Spain  and  receive  supplies  in  return. 

Finding  it  impossible  to  disarm  the  hostility  of 
Capafi  by  any  kindly  messages  or  presents,  he 
resolved  if  possible  to  take  him  captive.  In  this 
way  only  could  he  arrest  the  cruel  war.  The  venera- 
tion of  the  Indians  for  their  chief  was  such  that, 
with  Capafi  in  tae  hands  of  the  Spaniards  as  a  hos- 
tage, they  would  ceasa  theii'  attacks  out  of  regard  to 
his  safety. 

It  was  some  time  before  De  Soto  could  get  any 
clew  to  the  retreat  in  which  Capafi  was  concealed. 
And  he  hardly  knew  hew  to  account  for  the  fact, 
that  the  sovereign  of  a  nation  of  such  redoubtable 
ferocity,  should  never  himself  lead  any  of  his  military 
bands,  in  the  fierce  onsets  which  they  were  inces- 
santly making.  At  length  De  Soto  learned  that 
Capafi,  though  a  man  of  great  mental  energy,  was 
incapacitated  from  taking  the  field  by  his  enormous 
obesity.     He  was  so  fat  that  he  could  scarcely  walk, 


2o6 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


and  was  borne  from  place  to  place  on  a  litter.  He 
could  give  very  energetic  commands,  but  the  execu- 
tion of  them  must  be  left  to  others.  He  also  ascer- 
tained that  this  formidable  chief  had  taken  up  his 
almost  unapproachable  quarters  about  twenty-five 
miles  from  Anhayea ;  and  that  in  addition  to  the 
tangled  thickets  and  treacherous  morasses  with 
which  nature  had  surrounded  him,  he  had  also 
fortified  himself  in  the  highest  style  of  semi-barbarian 
art,  and  had  garrisoned  his  little  fortress  with  a  band 
of  his  most  indomitable  warriors. 

Notwithstanding  the  difficulty  of  the  enterprise, 
De  Soto  resolved  to  attempt  to  capture  him.  This 
was  too  arduous  a  feat  to  be  entrusted  to  the  leader- 
ship of  any  one  but  himself.  He  took  i  select  body 
of  horsemen  and  footmen,  and  after  a  very  difficult 
journey  of  three  days,  came  to  the  borders  of  the 
citadel  whefe  the  chief  and  his  garrison  were  in- 
trenched. Mr.  Irving,  in  his  admirable  history  of 
the  Conquest  of  Florida,  gives  the  following  interest- 
ing account  of  the  fortress,  and  of  the  battle  in 
which  it  was  captured: 

"  In  the  heart  of  this  close  and  impervious  forest, 
a  piece  of  ground  was  cleared  and  fortified  for  the 
residence  of  the  Cacique  and  his  warriors.  The  only 
entrance  or  outlet,  was  by  a  narrow  path  cut  through 
the  forest.     At  every  hundred  paces,  this  path  was 


WINTER  QUARTERS. 


207 


barricaded  by  palisades  and  trunks  of  trees,  at  each 
of  which  was  posted  a  guard  of  the  bravest  warriors. 
Thus  the  fat  Cacique  was  ensconced  in  the  midst  of 
the  forest  like  a  spider  in  the  midst  of  his  web,  and 
his  devotf  d  subjects  were  ready  to  defend  him  to  the 
last  gasp. 

"  When  the  Governor  arrived  at  the  entrance  to 
the  perilous  defile,  he  found  the  enemy  well  prepared 
for  its  defence.  The  Spaniards  pressed  forward,  but 
the  path  was  so  narrow  that  the  two  foremost  only 
could  engage  in  the  combat.  They  gained  the  first 
and  second  palisades  at  the  point  of  the  sword. 
There  it  was  necessary  to  cut  the  osiers  and  other 
bands,  with  which  the  Indians  had  fastened  the 
beams.  While  thus  occupied  they  were  exposed 
to  a  galling  fire  and  received  many  wounds.  Not- 
withstanding all  these  obstacles,  they  gained  one 
palisade  after  the  other  until,  by  hard  fighting,  they 
arrived  at  the  place  of  refuge  of  the  Cacique. 

"  The  conflict  lasted  a  long  time,  with  many  feats 
of  prowess  on  both  sides.  The  Indians  however,  for 
want  of  defensive  armor,  fought  on  unequal  terms, 
and  were  most  of  them  -""t  down.  The  Cacique 
called  out  to  the  survivors  10  surrender.  The  latter, 
having  done  all  that  good  soldiers  could  do,  and 
seeing  all  their  war-like  efforts  in  vain,  threw  them- 
selves on  their  knees  before  the  Governor  and  offer- 
12 


208 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


ed  up  their  own  lives,  but  entreated  him  to  spare 
the  life  of  their  Cacique. 

"  De  Soto  was  moved  by  their  valor  and  their 
loyalty;  receiving  them  with  kindness,  he  assured 
them  of  his  pardon  for  the  past,  and  that  henceforth 
he  would  consider  them  as  friends.  Capafi,  not 
being  able  to  walk,  was  borne  in  the  arms  of  his  at- 
tendants to  kiss  the  hands  of  the  Governor,  who, 
well  pleased  to  have  him  in  his  power,  treated  him 
with  urbanity  and  kindness." 

Severe  as  had  been  the  conflict,  De  Soto  return- 
ed to  Anhayea  with  his  captive,  highly  gratified  by 
the  result  of  his  enterprise.  He  had  strictly  en- 
joined it  upon  his  troops  not  to  be  guilty  of  any  act 
of  wanton  violence!  On  the  march  he  had  very 
carefully  refrained  from  any  ravaging  of  the  country. 
He  now  hoped  that,  the  chief  being  in  his  power 
and  being  treated  with  the  utmost  kindness,  all  hos- 
tilities would  cease.  But,  much  to  his  disappoint- 
ment, the  warriors  of  Capafi,  released  from  the  care 
of  their  chief,  devoted  themselves  anew  to  the 
harassment  of  the  Spaniards  in  every  possible  way. 

Capafi  seemed  much  grieved  by  this  their  con- 
duct, assuming  to  be  entirely  reconciled  to  his  con- 
queror. He  informed  De  Soto  that  his  prominent 
warriors,  who  directed  the  campaign,  had  established 
their   headquarters  in  a   dense  forest   about  thirty 


■■■I 


WINTER   QUARTERS. 


209 


miles  from  Anhayea.  He  said  that  it  would  be  of 
no  avail  for  him  to  send  messengers  to  them,  for 
they  would  believe  that  the  messages  were  only  such 
as  De  Soto  compelled  their  chief  to  utter.  He  how- 
ever offered  to  go  himself  to  the  camp  of  his  war- 
riors, accompanied  by  such  a  guard  of  Spanish 
troops  as  De  Soto  might  deem  it  best  to  send  with 
him.  He  expressed  the  assurance,  that  he  should 
be  enabled  to  induce  his  warriors  to  throw  down 
their  arms. 

De  Soto  accepted  the  proposition.  In  the  early 
morning  a  strong  escort  of  infantry  and  cavalry  left 
the  village  to  conduct  the  chief  to  the  encampment 
of  the  natives.  Skillful  guides  accompanied  them, 
so  that  they  reached  the  vicinity  of  the  encampment 
just  as  the  sun  was  going  down.  The  chief  sent 
forward  scouts  immediately,  to  inform  his  friends 
of  his  approach.  The  Spaniards,  weary  of  their  long 
day's  march,  and  convinced  of  the  impossibility  of 
the  escape  of  the  chief,  who  could  scarcely  walk 
a  step,  were  very  remiss  in  watchfulness.  Though 
they  established  sentinels  and  a  guard,  in  accordance 
with  military  usage,  it  would  seem  that  they  all 
alike  fell  asleep.  It  is  probable  that  the  wily  chief 
had  sent  confidential  communications  to  his  war- 
riors through  his  scouts.  "  ' 
,  The  Spaniards  were  encamped  in  the  glooms  of 


210 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


the  forest.  At  midnight,  when  darkness,  silence  and 
solitude  reigned,  Capafi  stealthily  crept  on  his  hands 
and  knees,  a  few  rods  from  his  sleeping  guard,  into 
the  thicket,  where  a  band  of  Indian  runners  met  him 
with  a  litter  and  bore  him  rapidly  away  beyond  all 
chance  of  successful  pursuit.  The  Spaniards  never 
caught  glimpse  of  their  lost  captive  again.  When 
they  awoke  their  chagrin  and  dread  of  punishment 
were  extn^me.  The  sentinels,  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed to  watch  the  captive,  solemnly  averred,  in 
excuse  for  their  neglect,  that  during  the  night  de- 
moniac spirits  had  appeared,  and  had  borne  away 
the  unwieldy  chief  through  the  air. 

As  all  the  band  were  implicated  in  the  escape,  all 
were  aHke  ready  to  aver  that,  during  the  night,  they 
had  witnessed  very  strange  sights  and  heard  very 
strange  sounds.  When  they  carried  back  this  report, 
the  good-natured  De  Soto,  convinced  that  fretting 
and  fault-finding  would  do  no  good,  appeased  their 
alarm  by  saying,  with  a  peculiar  smile : 

"It  is  not  strange.  These  Indian  wizards  per- 
form feats  far  more  difficult  than  conjuring  away  a 
fat  chief" 

The  winter  passed  slowly  away.  The  natives 
were  o  very  ferocious  race ;  tall,  strong,  athletic,  and 
delighting  in  war.  Every  day  and  every  hour  brought 
alarm  and  battle.     The  Indians  conducted  a  harass- 


WINTER  QUARTERS. 


211 


'J- 


ing  and  destructive  warfare.  In  small  bands  they 
roamed  through  the  forest,  cutting  off  any  who  ven- 
tured to  wander  from  the  town.  It  required  a  large 
amount  of  food  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  army  in 
Anhayea.  Not  a  native  carried  any  provisions  to 
the  town,  and  it  was  necessary  for  De  Soto  to  send 
out  foraging  expeditions,  at  whatever  risk.  The 
winter  was  cold.  Fires  were  needed  for  warmth  and 
cooking.  But  the  sound  of  an  axe  could  not  be  heard 
in  the  forest,  without  drawing  upon  the  wood-cutters, 
a  swarm  of  foes.  De  Soto  found  himself  in  what  is 
called  a  false  position ;  so  that  he  deemed  it  neces- 
sary to  resort  to  cruel  and  apparently  unjustifiable 
expedients. 

He  took  a  large  number  of  Indian  captives.  These 
he  compelled  to  be  his  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers 
of  water.  He  would  send  a  party  of  Spaniards  into 
the  forests  for  fuel.  Each  man  led  an  Indian  as  a 
servant  to  operate  in  the  double  capacity  of  a  shield 
against  the  arrows  of  the  natives,  and  a  slave  to  col- 
lect and  bring  back  the  burden.  To  prevent  the 
escape  of  these  Indians,  each  one  was  led  by  a  chain, 
fastened  around  his  neck  or  waist.  Sometimes  these 
natives  would  make  the  most  desperate  efforts  to 
escape ;  by  a  sudden  twitch  upon  the  chain  they 
would  endeavor  to  pull  it  from  the  hands  of  their 
guard,  or  to  throw  him  down  and,  seizing  any  club 


212 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


within  their  reach,  would  spring  upon  him  with  the 
ferocity  of  a  tiger. 

In  various  ways  more  than  twenty  Spaniards  lost 
their  lives,  and  many  more  were  seriously  wounded. 
It  was  indeed  a  melancholy  winter  for  the  army  of 
De  Soto.  Their  supplies  were  so  far  expended  that 
it  was  needful  for  them  to  await  the  arrival  of  their 
vessels  in  the  Bay  of  St.  Marks.  It  will  also  be  remem- 
bered, that  De  Soto  had  sent  back  an  expedition  to 
cut  its  way  for  a  distance  of  three  hundred  miles 
through  hostile  nations  to  Ucita,  and  to  summon  the 
garrison  there,  to  set  out  on  a  march  to  join  him  at 
Anhayea.  Five  months  were  thus  spent  in  weary 
waiting. 

It  is  estimated  that  De  Soto's  force  in  Anhayea, 
including  the  captives  who  were  servants  or  slaves, 
amounted  to  about  fifteen  hundred  persons.  He  had 
also  over  three  hundred  horses.  The  fertility  of  the 
region  was  however  such,  with  its  extended  fields  of 
corn,  beans,  pumpkins  and  other  vegetables,  that  it 
was  not  necessary  to  send  foraging  parties  to  a  dis- 
tance of  more  than  four  or  five  miles  from  the  village. 
On  the  29th  of  December,  1539,  the  two  brigantines, 
which  had  sailed  from  Tampa  Bay,  carhe  into  St. 
Marks,  then  called  the  Bay  of  Aute.  For  twelve 
days  before  the  arrival  of  the  ships,  De  Soto  had 
kept   companies  of  horse  and   foot   marching  and 


WINTER   QUARTERS. 


213 


countermarching  between  Anhayea  and  the  Bay, 
to  keep  the  communication  open.  They  also  placed 
banners  on  the  highest  trees,  as  signals  to  point  out 
the  place  of  anchorage. 

Juan  De  Anasco,  who  had  command  of  the 
vessels,  left  them  well  manned  in  the  bay,  and  with 
the  remainder  of  the  ship's  company  marched  to 
Anhayea,  under  escort  of  the  troops  sent  him  by  De 
Soto.  . 

Soon  after  this,  Pedro  Calderon  arrived  with  his 
gallant  little  band  of  a  hundred  and  twenty  men. 
By  a  series  of  the  wildest  adventures  and  most 
heroic  achievements  they  had  cut  their  way  through 
a  wilderness  thronging  with  foes,  where  an  army  of 
eight  hundred  men  had  with  difficulty  effected  a 
passage.  Fighting  every  step  of  the  way  and  bear- 
ing along  with  them  their  wounded,  their  progress 
was  necessarily  slow.  Several  of  their  number  were 
killed  and  many  wounded.  Of  the  wounded,  twelve 
died  soon  after  they  reached  Anhayea. 

Their  arrival  in  the  village  was  a  cause  of  great 
gratification  to  all  there.  De  Soto  received  them  as 
an  affectionate  father  welcomes  his  son  whom  he  had 
supposed  to  have  been  lost.  The  rumor  had  reached 
the  Governor  that  all  had  been  slain  on  the  road. 

Captain  Calderon  brought  a  letter  to  De  Soto, 
from    his    wife    Isabella.      We   find  the   following* 


214 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


interesting  extract  from  this  letter  in  the  life  of  De 
Soto  by  Mr.  Lambert  A.  Wilmer.  It  seems  to  bear 
internal  evidence  of  authenticity,  though  we  know 
not  the  source  from  which  -Mr.  Wilmer  obtained  it. 
The  spirit  of  the  letter  is  in  entire  accord  with  the 
noble  character  which  Mr.  Washington  Irving  gives 
Isabella,  in  his  life  of  Columbus  and  his  companions. 

"  I  have  lately  had  some  conversation  with  Las 
Casas,  the  Bishop  of  Chiapa.  He  has  convinced  me 
that  the  behavior  of  our  people  to  the  Indians  is 
inexcusable  in  the  sight  of  God,  ho^/evcr  it  may  be 
overlooked  by  men  in  high  authority.  The  Bishop 
has  proved  to  me  that  all  who  have  taken  part  in 
the  abuse  of  these  harmless  people,  have  been  visited 
in  this  life  with  the  manifest  displeasure  of  heaven ; 
and  God  grant  that  they  may  not  be  punished  in  the 
life  to  come  according  to  the  measure  of  their 
offense. 

"  I  hope,  my  dearest  husband  that  no  considera- 
tions of  worldly  advantage  will  make  you  neglectful 
of  the  precepts  of  humanity  and  of  the  duties  of 
religion.  Be  persuaded  to  return  to  me  at  once ;  for 
you  can  gain  nothing  in  Florida  which  can  repay  me 
for  the  sorrow  and  anxiety  I  feel  in  your  absence. 
Nor  for  all  the  riches  of  the  country  would  I  have 
you  commit  one  act  the  remembrance  of  which 
would   be   painful   to  you   hereafter.     If  you  have 


WINTER   QUARTERS. 


215 


gciinod  nothing  I  shall  be  better  satisfied,  because 
thcr^  may  be  the  less  cause  for  repentance.  What- 
ever may  have  been  your  want  of  success  or  your 
losses,  I  implore  you  to  come  to  me  without  delay; 
for  any  reverse  of  fortune  is  far  better  than  the  sus- 
pense and  misery  I  now  endure." 

This  letter  must  have  caused  De  Soto  great  per- 
plexity. But  for  reasons  which  we  have  above  given 
he  could  not  make  up  his  mind  to  abandon  the 
enterprise,  and  return  to  Cuba  an  unsuccessful  and 
impoverished  man.  , 

De  Soto  now  ordered  the  two  vessels  under  Diego 
Maldonado  to  explore  the  coast  to  the  westward, 
carefully  examining  every  river  and  bay.  It  would 
seem  also  probable  that  at  the  same  time  he  fitted 
out  an  expedition  of  fifty  foot  soldiers,  to  march  along 
the  coast  on  a  tour  of  discovery.  Maldonado,  after  a 
sail  of  about  two  hundred  miles,  entered  the  beautiful 
bay  of  Pensacola,  then  called  Archusi.  It  was  an  ad- 
mirable harbor,  and  with  shores  so  steep  and  bold 
that  ships  could  ride  in  safety  almost  within  cable 
length  of  the  land.  No  Spaniards  had  previously 
visited  that  region,  consequently  the  natives  were 
friendly.  They  came  freely  on  board,  bringing  fruits 
and  vegetables,  and  inviting  the  strangers  to  the  hos- 
pitality of  their  homes. 

Maldonado  was  allowed  without  molestation  to 


2l6 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


explore  the  bay  in  all  directions,  taking  careful  sound- 
ings. The  vessels  returned  to  the  bay  of  Aute,  after 
an  absence  of  but  eight  weeks.  Dc  Soto  was  highly 
gratified  with  the  results  of  the  expedition.  It 
seemed  to  him  that  the  shores  of  the  bay  of  Pensacola 
presented  just  the  position  he  desired  for  the  location 
of  his  colony.  He  had  thus  far  failed,  in  his  searcli 
for  gold,  but  it  seemed  to  him  still  possible  that  he 
might  lay  the  foundation  of  a  populous  and  powerful 
empire.  .  . 

It  was  now  the  latter  part  of  Fel  -uary,  and  an 
almost  vertical  sun  was  throwing  down  ii.  -"vs  upon 
them.  Maldonado  was  dispatched  with  the  ►.  "o[an- 
tines  to  Havana,  to  return  with  a  supply  of  clothing, 
ammunition  and  sU'ch  other  freight  as  was  needful  for 
the  army  in  its  isolated  condition.  He  received  orders 
to  be  back  in  the  bay  of  Pensacolo,,  uv  the  first  of 
October.  In  the  mean  time  De  Soto  with  his  army 
was  to  make  a  long  circuit  throygh  the  country,  in 
search  of  gold.  De  Soto  had  received  information  of 
a  distant  province  called  Cofachiqui,  which  was  gov- 
erned by  a  queen,  young  and  beautiful.  It  was  said 
that  this  nation  was  quite  supreme  over  the  adjacent 
provinces,  from  which  it  received  tribute  and  feudal 
homage. 

Two  lads  but  sixteen  years  of  age  had  come  to 
Anhayea,  from  this  province  in  company  with  some 


WINTER   QUARTERS. 


217 


Indian  traders.  So  far  as  they  could  make  themselves 
understood,  though  very  unskilful  interpreters,  they 
represented  the  country  as  abounding  in  silver,  gold 
and  precious  stones.  In  pantomime  they  described 
the  process  of  mining  and  smelting  the  precious  metals 
so  accurately  that  experienced  miners  were  convinced 
that  they  must  have  vvitne?  .od  those  operations. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1540,  De  Soto  left  his  com- 
fortable quarters,  and  commenced  his  march  for  that 
p>"ovince,  in  a  northeasterly  direction.  Their  path 
led  first  through  an  almost  unpeopled  wilderness 
many  leagues  in  extent.  Each  soldier  bore  his  frugal 
supper  or  food  upon  his  back.  It  consisted  mainly 
of  roasted  corn  pounded  or  ground  into  meal. 

An  unobstructed  but  weary  tramp  of  three  days 
brought  them  through  this  desert  region  to'a  very 
singular  village,  called  Capachiqui.  In  the  midst  of 
a  vast  morass,  there  was  an  island  of  elevated  and 
dry  ground.  Here  quite  a  populous  village  was 
erected,  which  commanded  a  wide  spread  view  of  the 
flat  surrounding  region.  The  village  could  only  be 
approached  by  several  causeways  crossing  the  marsh, 
about  three  hundred  feet  in  length.  The  country  be- 
yond was  fertile  and  sprinkled  with  small  hamlets. 
Eight  hundred  armed  warriors,  on  the  open  plain, 
presented   a   force,  which  the  most  valiant  Indians 

would  not  venture  to  assail.     The  Spaniards  entered 
10 


L»  p*;j'»*>"J7  — 


2l8 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


the  village  by  these  causeways  unopposed,  and  found 
there  a  not  inhospitable  reception. 

The  day  after  their  arrival,  seven  of  De  Soto's 
body-guard,  thoughtless  and  rollicking  young  men, 
set  out,  without  authority  from  their  superior  officers, 
to  seek  amusement  in  the  neighboring  hamlets. 
They  had  scarcely  reached  the  main  land,  beyond  the 
marsh,  when  the  Indians,  from  an  ambush,  rushed 
upon  them,  and  after  a  very  fierce  struggle  all  but  one 
were  slain,  and  that  one,  Aguilar,  was  mortally 
wounded.  The  soldiers  in  the  village  hastened  to  the 
relief  of  {heir  comrades,  but  they  were  too  late. 
Aguilar,  in  a  dying  condition,  was  carried  back  to  the 
encampment.  He  had,  however,  sufficient  strength 
left  to  make  the  following  extr?  ordinary  state- 
ment : 

"  You  must  know  that  a  band  of  more  than  fifty 
savages  sprang  out  of  the  thickets  to  attack  us. 
The  moment,  however,  they  saw  that  we  were  but 
seven,  and  without  our  horses,  seven  warriors  stepped 
forth,  and  the  rest  retired  to  some  distance.  They 
began  the  .attack,  and  as  we  had  neither  arquebus 
nor  cross-bow,  we  were  entirely  at  their  mercy.  Be- 
ing more  agile,  and  fleet  of  foot  than  our  men,  they 
leaped  around  us  like  so  many  devils,  with  horrid 
laughter,  shcjoting  us  down  like  wild  beasts  without 
our  being  able   to  close  with  them.     My  poor  com- 


WINTER    QAARTERS.  219 

rades  fell  one  after  the  other,  and  the  savages  seeing 
me  alone,  all  seven  rushed  upon  me,  and  with  their 
bows  battered  me  as  you  have  witnessed." 

This  singular  event  took  place  within  the  territory 
of  Apalache.  It  is  said  that  the  Spaniards  not  un- 
frcqucntly  met  with  similar  instances,  in  which  the 
natives  disdained  to  avail  themselves  of  superior 
numbers. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Lost  in  the  Wilderness. 

Incidents  at  Achise — Arrival  at  Cofa. — Friendly  Reception  by  Cofa- 
qui. — The  Armed  Retinue. — Commission  of  Patofa, — Splendors 
of  the  March. — Lost  in  the  Wildf  mess. — Peril  of  the  Army. — 
Friendly  Relations. — The  Escape  from  the  Wilderness. — They 
Reach  the  Trontiers  of  Cofachiqui. — Dismissal  of  Patofa. — Won- 
derful Reception  by  the  Princess  of  Cofachiqui. 

After  a  couple  of  days  of  rest  and  feasting,  the 
Spanish  army  resumed  its  march.  De  Soto  led  the 
advance  with  forty  horsemen  and  seventy  foot  sol- 
diers. Ere  long  they  entered  the  province  of  At- 
tapaha,  from  which  the  river  Attapaha  probably 
takes  its  name.  On  the  morning  of  the  third  day 
they  approached  a  village  called  Achise.  The  af- 
frighted natives  had  fled.  Two  warriors  who  had 
tarried  behind,  were  captured  as  the  dragoons  came 
dashing  into  the  streets.  They  were  led  into  the 
presence  of  De  Soto.  Without  waiting  to  be  ad- 
dressed by  him,  they  haughtily  assailed  him  with 
the  ';;uestion, 

''  What  is  it  you  seek  in  our  land  ?     Is  it  pe ucc.. 


'jii 


LOST  IN    THE  WILDERNESS. 


221 


or  is  it  war  ? ''     De  Soto  replied,  through  his  inter- 
preter, 

"  We   seek  not  war  with  any  one.     We  are  in 
search  of  a  distant  province  ;  and  all  that  we  ask 
fcr  is  an  unobstructed  passage  through  your  country, 
'   >  food  by  the  way." 

The  answer  seemed  to  them  perfectly  satisfac- 
tory, and  they  at  once  entered  apparently  into  the 
most  friendly  relations.  The  captives  were  set  at  lib- 
erty and  treated  by  the  Spaniards,  in  all  respects,  as 
friends.  Promptly  the  two  warriors  sent  a  message 
to  their  chief,  informing  him  of  the  peaceful  disposi- 
tion of  the  Spaniards,  and  he  accordingly  issued 
otders  to  his  people  not  to  molest  them. 

In  tb-'js  pleasant  village,  and  surrounded  by  this 
friendh  pecMe,  De  Soto  spent  three  days.  He  then 
lesun  ':;*;  h\^  journey,  in  a  northeasterly  direction, 
along  the  "7nk!;  of  some  unknown  river,  fringed  with 
mulberry  trees,  and  winding  through  many  luxuriant 
and  beautiful  valleys.  The  nativ^es  were  all  friendly, 
and  not  the  slightest  collision  occurred.  For  eleven 
days  the  army  continued  its  movements,  encounter- 
ing T'. thing  worthy  of  note. 

i  ■  '■;'  then  entered  a  province  called  Cofa.  De 
Soto  sc  it  couriers  in  advance  to  the  chief  with  prof- 
fers of  friendship.  The  chief,  in  return,  sent  a  large 
number  of  Indians  laden  with  food  for  the  strangers. 


222 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


With  the  provisions  were  sent  rabbits,  partridges, 
and  a  species  of  dog  whose  flesh  was  held  in  high 
esteem.  The  Spaniards  suffered  for  want  of  meat ; 
for  though  game  '"\  the  forest  was  iibundant,  being 
constantly  on  the  l:,  they  had  no  time  for  hunt- 

ing. 

The  chief  of  Cofa  received  the  Spaniards  in  his 
metropolitan  town  with  great  hospitality.  He  as- 
signed his  own  mansion  to  De  Soto,  and  provided 
comfortable  quarters  for  all  his  troops.  The  natives 
and  the  Spaniards  mingled  together  without  the 
slightest  apparent  antagonism.  The  province  of 
Cofa  was  of  large  extent,  populous  and  fertile.  Here 
the  Spaniards  remained  five  days,  entertained  by 
the  abounding  hospitality  of  the  chief. 

De  Soto  had  thus  far  brought  with  him  a  piece 
of  ordnance,  which  had  proved  of  very  little  service. 
It  was  heavy  and  exceedingly  difficult  of  transpor- 
tation. He  decided  to  leave  it  behind  him  with 
this  friendly  people.  To  impress  them,  however,  with 
an  idea  of  its  power  as  an  engine  of  destruction, 
he  caused  it  to  be  loaded  and  aimed  at  a  large  oak 
tree  just  outside  of  the  village.  Two  shots  laid  the 
oak  prostrate.  The  achievement  filled  both  the 
chief  and  his  people  with  amazement  and  nwe. 

Again  the  army  resumed  its  march  towards  the 
next   province,   which   was    called  Cofacjue ;    whose 


LOST   IN  THE  WILDERNESS. 


223 


chief  was  brother  of  Cofa.  The  Spaniards  were 
escorted  by  Cofa  and  a  division  of  his  army,  during 
one  day's  journey.  The  friendly  chief  then  took  an 
affectionate  leave  of  De  Soto,  and  sent  forward  cour- 
iers to  inform  his  brother  of  the  approach  of  the 
Spaniards  and  to  intercede  for  his  kindly  offices  in 
their  behalf.  It  required  a  march  of  six  days  to 
reach  the  territory  of  the  new  chieftain. 

In  response  to  Cofa's  message,  Cofaqui  dispatched 
four  of  his  subordinate  chiefs,  with  a  message  of 
welcome  to  the  Spaniards.  He  sent  out  his  runners 
to  bring  him  speedy  intelligence  of  their  approach. 
As  soon  as  he  received  news  that  they  were  drawing 
near,  he  smarted  himself,  with  a  retinue  of  warriors 
in  their  richest  decorations,  to  welcome  the  strangers. 
The  s meeting,  on  both  sides,  was  equally  cordial. 
Side  by  side,  almost  hand  in  hand,  the  Floridiansand 
the  Spaniards  entered  the  pleasant  streets  of  Cofa- 
qui. The  chief  led  De  Soto  to  his  own  mansion, 
and  left  him  in  possession  there  while  he  retired  to 
another  dwelling. 

The  intercourse  between  these  two  illustrious 
men  seemed  to  be  as  cordial  as  that  between  two 
loving  brothers.  The  Floridian  chief,  with  great 
frankness,  gave  De  Soto  information  respecting  the 
extent,  population  and  resources  of  his  domain.  He 
informed   him   that  the  province  of  Cofachiqui,  of 


224 


FERUINAND   UE   SOTO. 


which  he  was  in  search,  could  only  be  reached  by  a 
journey  of  seven  days,  through  a  dreary  wilderness. 
But  he  offered,  should  Dc  Soto  decide  to  continue 
his  journey,  to  send  a  strong  band  of  his  army,  to 
accompany  him  with  ample  supplies.  De  Soto  after- 
wards ascertained  that  there  was  some  duplicity  in 
this  proposal ;  or  rather,  that  the  chief  had  a  double 
object  in  view.  It  appeared,  that  there  had  been 
long  and  hereditary  antagonism  between  the  prov- 
ince of  Cofaqui,  and  that  of  Cofachiqui ;  and  the 
chief  availed  himself  of  that  opportunity  to  invade 
the  territory  of  his  rival. 

Scouts  were  sent  out  in  all  directions  to  assemble 
the  warriors,  and  De  Soto  was  surprised  to  find  an 
army  of  four  thousand  soldiers,  and  as  many  burden- 
bearers,  ready  to  accompany  him.  The  provisions, 
with  which  they  were  fully  supplied,  consisted  mainly 
of  corn,  dried  plums  and  nuts  of  various  kinds.  In- 
dian hunters  accompanied  the  expedition  to  search 
the  forests  for  game. 

The  Spaniards  at  first  were  not  a  little  alarmed 
in  finding  themselves  in  company  with  such  an  army 
of  natives ;  outnumbering  them  eight  to  one,  and 
they  were  apprehensive  of  treachery.  Soon,  however, 
their  fears  in  that  direction  were  allayed,  for  the 
chief  frankly  avowed  the  object  of  the  expedition. 
Summoning  before   him  I'atofa,  the  captain  of  the 


LOST  IN  THE   WILDERNESS. 


225 


native  army,  he  said  to  him,  in  presence  of  the  lead- 
ing Spanish  officers  in  the  public  square : 

"  You  well  know  that  a  perpetual  enmity  has 
existed  between  our  fathers  and  the  Indians  of  Cof- 
achiqui.  Tb-'t  hatred  you  know  has  not  abated  in 
the  least.  The  wrongs  we  have  received  from  that 
vile  tribe  still  rankle  in  our  hearts,  unavenged.  The 
present  opportunity  must  not  be  lost.  You,  at  the 
head  of  my  braves,  must  accompany  this  chief  and 
his  warriors,  and,  under  their  protection,  wreak  ven- 


geance on  our  enemies 


jj 


Patofa,  who  was  a  man  of  very  imposing  appear- 
ance, stepped  forward,  and  after  going  through  sev- 
eral evolutions  with  a  heavy  broadsword  carved  from 
wood,  exceedingly  hard,  said : 

"I  pledge  my  word  to  fulfill  your  commands,  so 

far  as  may  be  in  my  power.     I  promise,  by  aid  of 

the  strangers,  to  revenge  the  insults  and  deaths,  our 

fathers  have  sustained  from  the  natives  of  Cofachi- 

qui.     My  vengeance  shall  be  such,  that  the  memory 

of  past  evils  shall  be  wiped  away  forever.    My  daring 

to  reappear  in  your  presence  will  be  a  token  that 

your   commands  have  been  executed.     Should   the 

fates  deny  my  hopes,  never  again  shall  you  see  me, 

never  again  shall  the  sun  shine  upon   me.     If  the 

enemy  deny  me  death,  I  will  inflict  upon  myself  the 

punishment  my  cowardice  or  evil  fortune  will  merit." 
10* 


226 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


It  was  indeed  a  large  army  which  then  com- 
menced its  march,  for  it  consisted  of  four  thousand 
native  warriors,  and  four  thousand  retainers  to  carry- 
supplies  and  clothing,  and  between  eight  and  nine 
hundred  Spaniards.  The  Indians  were  plumed  and 
decorated  in  the  highest  style  of  military  display. 
The  horses  of  the  Spaniards  were  gayly  caparisoned, 
and  their  burnished  armor  glittered  in  the  sun. 
Silken  banners  waving  in  the  breeze  and  bugle  peals 
echoing  over  the  plains,  added  both  to  the  beauty 
and  the  sublimity  of  the  scene. 

The  Spaniards  conducted  their  march  as  in  an 
enemy's  cou  itry,  and  according  to  the  established 
usages  of  war.  They  formed  in  squadrons  with  a 
van  and  rear  guard.  The  natives  'followed,  also  in 
martial  array ;  for  they  were  anxious  to  show  the 
Spaniards  that  they  were  acquainted  with  military 
c'lscipline  and  tactics.  Thus  in  long  procession,  but 
without  artillery  trains  or  baggage  wagons,  they 
moved  over  the  extended  plains  and  threaded  the 
defiles  of  the  forest.  At  night  they  invariably  en- 
camped at  a  little  distance  from  each  other.  Both 
parties  posted  their  sentinels,  and  adopted  every 
caution  to  guard  against  surprise. 

Indeed,  it  appears  that  De  Soto  still  had  some 
distrust  of  his  allies,  whose  presence  was  uninvited, 
and  with  whose  company  he  would  gladly  have  dis- 


LOST   IN  THE   WILDERNESS. 


227 


pensed.  The  mo'^e  he  reflected  upon  his  situation, 
the  more  embairassing  it  seemed  to  him.  He  was 
entering  a  distant  and  unknown  province,  ostensibly 
on  a  friendly  mission,  and  it  was  his  most  earnest 
desire  to  secure  the  good-will  and  cooperation  of  the 
natives.  And  yet  he  was  accompanied  by  an  army 
whose  openly  avowed  object  was,  to  ravage  the 
country  and  to  butcher  the  people. 

The  region  upon  which  they  first  entered,  being 
a  border  land  between  the  two  hostile  nations,  was 
almost  uninhabited,  and  was  much  of  the  way  quite 
pathless.  It  consisted,  however,  of  a  pleasant  di- 
versity of  hills,  forests  and  rivers.  The  considerable 
band  of  hunters  which  accompanied  the  native  army, 
succeeded  in  capturing  quite  an  amount  of  game  for 
the  use  of  the  troops.  For  seven  days  the  two 
armies  moved  slowly  over  these  widely  extended 
plains,  when  they  found  themselves  utterly  bewil- 
dered and  lost  in  the  intricacies  of  a  vast,  dense, 
tangled  forest,  through  which  they  could  not  find 
even  an  Indian's  trail.  The  guides  professed  to  be 
entirely  at  fault,  and  all  seemed  to  be  alike  bewil- 
dered. 

De  Soto  was  quite  indignant,  feeling  that  he  had 
been  betrayed  and  led  into  an  ambush  for  his  de- 
struction. He  summoned  Patofa  to  his  presence  and 
said  to  him : 


228 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


"Why  have  you,  under  the  guise  of  friendship,  led 
us  into  this  wilderness,  whence  we  can  discover  no 
way  of  extricating  ourselves?  I  will  never  believe 
that  among  eight  thousand  Indians  there  is  not  one 
to  be  found  capable  of  showing  us  the  way  to  Cofa- 
chiqui.  It  is  not  at  all  likely  that  you  who  have 
maintained  perpetual  war  with  that  tribe,  should 
know  nothing  of  the  public  road  and  secret  paths 
leading  from  one  village  to  another." 

Patofa  made  the  following  frank  and  convincing 
reply. 

"  The  wars  that  have  been  waged  between  these 
two  provinces,  have  not  been  carried  on  by  pitched 
battles  nor  invasions  of  either  party,  but  by  skirmishes 
by  small  bands  who  resort  to  the  streams  and  rivers 
we  have  crossed,  to  fish  ;  and  also  by  combats  be- 
tween hunting  parties,  as  the  wilderness  we  have  tra- 
versed is  the  common  hunting  ground  of  both  nations. 
The  natives  of  Cofachiqui  are  more  powerful  and 
have  always  worsted  us  in  fight.  Our  people  were 
therefore  dispirited  and  dared  not  pass  over  their  own 
frontiers. 

"  Do  you  suspect  that  I  have  led  your  army  into 
these  deserts  tft  perish  ?  If  so,  take  what  you  please. 
If  my  head  vyill  suffice;  take  it ;  if  not  you  may  be- 
head every  Indian,  as  they  will  obey  my  mandate  to 
the  death." 


LOST   IN   THE   WILDERNESS. 


229 


The  manner  of  Patofa  was  in  accordance  with 
these  feeling  and  manly  words.  De  Soto  no  longer 
cherished  a  doubt  of  his  sincerity,  and  became  also  con- 
vinced that  their  guides  were  utterly  unable  to  extri- 
cate him.  Under  these  circumstances  nothing  re- 
mained but  blindly  to  press  forward  or  to  retrace  his 
steps.  They  at  length  found  some  narrow  openings 
in  the  forest  through  which  they  forced  their  way 
until  they  arrived,  just  before  sunset,  upon  the  banks 
of  a  deep  and  rapid  stream  which  seemed  to  present 
an  impassable  barrier  before  them. 

They  had  no  canoes  or  rafts  with  which  to  cross 
the  river  ;  their  food  was  nearly  consumed,  as  it  had 
been  supposed  that  a  supply  for  seven  days  would  be 
amply  sufficient  to  enable  them  to  traverse  the  des- 
ert. To  turn  back  was  certain  death  by  starvation  ; 
to  remain  where  they  were  was.equal  destruction  ;  to 
go  forward  seemed  impossible,  for  they  had  not  suffi- 
cient food  to  support  them  even  while  constructing 
rafts.  It  was  the  darkest  hour  in  all  their  wander- 
ings. Despair  seemed  to  take  possession  of  all  hearts 
excepting  that  of  De  Soto.  He  still  kept  up  his 
courage,  assuming  before  his  people  an  untroubled 
and  even  cheerful  spirit.  ^ 

The  river  afforded  water  to  drink.  A  large  grove 
of  pine  trees  bordering  the  river,  beneath  whose 
fragrant  shade  they  were  encamped,  sheltered  them 


230 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


from  the  sun.  The  level  and  extended  plain,  dry 
and  destitute  of  underbrush,  presented  excellent 
camping-ground.  Food  only  was  wanting.  But 
without  this  food  in  a  few  short  days  the  whole 
army  must  perish. 

De  Soto,  that  very  evening  leaving  the  armies 
there,  took  a  detachment  of  horse  and  foot  and  set 
off  himself  in  search  of  some  relief  or  path  of  extri- 
cation. Late  in  the  night  he  returned,  perplexed 
and  distressed,  having  accomplished  nothing.  A 
council  of  wp.r  was  held.  It  was  promptly  decided 
that  the  armies  should  remain  where  they  were  while 
detachments  were  sent  in  ell  directions  in  search  of 
food  or  of  some  path  of  escape. 

These  detachments  left  early  in  the  morning  and 
returned  late  at  night  having  discovered  neither  road 
nor  corn-field,  nor  habitation.  De  Soto  then  organized 
four  bands  of  horse  and  two  of  foot  to  go  up  and 
down  the  river,  and  to  penetrate  the  interior,  and  to 
make  as  wide  an  exploration  as  possible  within  the 
limit  of  fiv  days.  Each  band  was  accompanied  by 
a  large  number  of  natives.  Patofa  himself  went  with 
one  of  these  detachments.  A  thousand  Indian 
warriors  were  scattered  through  the  forest  in  search 
of  a  road  and  such  game  as  could  be  found.  The 
Governor  remained  on  the  banks  of  the  river  anx- 
iously awaiting  their  return. 


■•t 


;i 


''I 

1 


.■■k.i 


'■t>*- 


f.OST  IN  'me  WIL1>K;  '4K^'^. 


231 


"The  four  thousand  Jtidian.,,"  vvritcs  Mr.  Ii-vinp;,* 
"who  remained  with  hvM,  s.tHicil  out  e\-ery  rnop;ing 
Vnl  relurncii  af  nif^h.t.  .-,onu'' -,•, :;. 'r. "  !l<M•^h  <'!"^  !oot-> 
th.1t  wero  €at.i!:>!c,  <*thors  with  r>*  ■•■;  --ri.  "  ■:..,<»ln 
\\ith  birds  anri 'ima!!  ani'fta--:  k^":  1  /;;  -fr;<  .«.u>5 
aiH}  arrows.  Tues«;  sup[/*ji.-r-  v.-  r--  .H.^a;  •.•-•!.  hy  mo 
means  sufficient  for  t!if  -;  insist eiiee  of  suvh  a'i:''ulti- 
tudc. 

''  L)e  Soto  fared  equnliy  \',  ah  his  men  in  cvt-ry 
jfApcct ;  and,  d!<>-:'.rh  trv)ub:jd  iiid  anxjuiis  for  tlic 
fate  of  ids  ;_;r<.:at  cxpeditir^n.  iic  v...' re  :\  -unny  counte- 
nance to  cheer  up  ]u6  foHov.crs.  These  chiva)toiis 
spjHts  apprcc!ati;d  hi:=;  care  a.'.d  rn''Kluc;-.:f,  and  to 
solace  him  Hv':'y  "oncealcd  th..>'-  /-.urrerifigs,  assumed 
an  air  of  i,ovj*,enUa!n' .-;,  and  ap|;carv:d  a-,  happy  a^ 
thcugh  rcvorjjnn-  ju  iihunihincc.*' 

Most  ef  the  exphjrini;  -'irlie:;  suffered  no  less 
f^t-m  hunvjer  than  ui  i  their  Ct»mp:i'"'^  '^^  '-'  ho  rvin-iined 
behind.  Juan  l)e  A'lasco,  afty  tr.».\ei*'*i;» .-  'ib-^  biUV  - 
of  the  river  for  thrc'  'lays,  h;)d  iii-i  heail  i;!add  i  'J 
by  the  shihl  oi'  a  small  vil!a;^i .  Troni  an  eminence 
ic  ?4ivv  tiiat  t'  .rcoualrv  h'vond  was  f(^rtilt\  well 
cultivated 'and  lotted  here  and  there  with  hamic^^s. 
h)  the  villag«\  for  svniii!  unexplained  reason,  he  found 
I  lar^e  amount  ofv^iovHjons  accumulated,  consi.^ting 
'ua>nly  of  corn.  He  'irtt«:^ediately  di'^pal'-hed  four 
h-'f'^cnien  bach  to  De  Soto  witli  ttie  joyfu!  tidings. 


<. 


;lr^^-^-'^'- 


^■.'S  •-r^-f 


i;.*? 


Wii 


.«»fc. 


LOST  IN   THE  WILDERNESS. 


231 


"  The  four  thousand  Indians,"  writes  Mr.  Irving, 
"  who  remained  with  him,  sallied  out  every  morning 
and  returned  at  night,  some  with  herbs  and  roots 
that  were  eatable,  others  with  fish,  and  others  again 
with  birds  and  small  animals  killed  with  their  bows 
and  arrows.  These  supplies  were,  however,  by  no 
means  sufficient  for  the  subsistence  of  such  a  multi- 
tude. , 

"  De  Soto  fared  equally  with  his  men  in  every 
respect ;  and,  though  troubled  and  anxious  for  the 
fate  of  his  great  expedition,  he  wore  a  sunny  counte- 
nance to  cheer  up  his  followers.  These  chivalrous 
spirits  appreciated  his  care  and  kindness,  and  to 
solace  him  they  concealed  their  sufferings,  assumed 
an  air  of  contentedness,  and  appeared  as  happy  as 
though  revelling  in  abundance." 

Most  of  the  exploring  parties  suffered  no  less 
from  hunger  than  did  their  companions  who  remained 
behind.  Juan  De  Afiasco,  after  traversing  the  banks 
of  the  river  for  three  days,  had  nis  heart  gladdened 
by  the  sight  of  a  small  village.  From  an  eminence 
he  saw  that  the  country  beyond  was  fertile,  well 
cultivated  and  dotted  here  and  there  with  hamlets. 
In  the  village,  for  some  unexplained  reason,  he  found 
a  large  amount  of  provisions  accumulated,  consisting 
mainly  of  corn.  He  immediately  dispatched  four 
horsemen  back  to  De  Soto  with  the  joyful  tidings. 


232 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


They  took  with  them  such  food  as  they  could  carry. 
This  proved  to  be  the  first  village  in  the  long-sought- 
for  province  of  Cofachiqui.  * 

It  will  be  remembered  that  Patofa,  the  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  native  army,  had,  with  a  large 
number  of  his  warriors,  accompanied  Afiasco.  He 
had  pledged  his  word  to  his  chief  that  he  would  do 
everything  in  his  power  to  harass,  pillage  and  destroy 
their  ancestral  foes.  Afiasco  encamped  his  band  a 
little  outside  the  village.  At  midnight  Patofa  and 
his  warriors  crept  stealthily  from  the  encampment, 
pillaged  the  temple  which  contained  many  treasures 
prized  by  the  Indians,  and  killed  and  scalped  every 
native  whom  they  met,  man,  woman  or  child.  When 
Anasco  awoke  in  the  morning  and  found  what  they 
had  done,  he  was  terrified.  The  outrage  had  been 
committed  by  troops  under  his  own  command.  He 
was  apprehensive  that  every  man  in  the  village, 
aided  by  such  warriors  as  could  be  gathered  from 
around,  would  rush  upon  him  in  revenge,  and  that 
he  and  his  enfeebled  followers  would  be  destroyed. 
Immediately  he  commenced  a  retreat  to  meet  De 
Soto,  who  he  doubted  not  would  be  promptly  on  the 
move  to  join  him. 

The  four  couriers  reached  the  camp  in  one  day, 
though  in  their  slow  exploring  tour  it  had  required 
three  days  to  accomplish  the  forty  miles  which  they 


LOST   IN  THE   WILDERNESS. 


233 


had  traversed.  The  troops  were  overjoyed  at  the 
glad  tidings,  and  immediately  prepared  to  resume 
their  march.  Several  of  their  detachments  had  not 
yet  returned.  In  order  to  give  them  information  of 
the  direction  which  the  army  had  taken,  De  Soto 
wrote  a  letter,  placed  it  in  a  box,  and  buried  it  at 
the  foot  of  a  tree.  Upon  the  bark  of  the  tree,  he 
had  these  words  conspicuously  cut :  "  Dig  at  the 
root  of  this  pine,  and  you  will  find  a  letter." 

The  half  famished  troops,  inspired  with  new  en- 
ergies, reached  the  village  in  a  day  and  a  half,  where 
their  hunger  was  appeased.  The  scattered  detach- 
ments arrived  a  few  days  after.  The  force  of  De 
Soto  was  too  strong  for  the  natives  to  attack  him, 
notwithstanding  the  provocation  they  had  received. 
He  found,  however,  much  to  his  chagrin,  that  he  was 
utterly  unable  to  restrain  the  savage  propensities 
of  his  allies.  For  seven  days  the  Spaniards  so- 
journed in  this  frontier  village  of  Cofachiqui.  War- 
like bands  were  continually  stealing  out,  penetrating 
the  region  around,  killing  and  scalping  men,  women 
and  children,  and  committing  every  conceivable  out- 
rage of  barbaric  warfare. 

De  Soto  could  endure  this  no  longer.  He  called 
Patofa  before  him,  and  told  him  in  very  emphatic 
terms  that  he  must  return  to  his  own  province.  lie 
thanked  the  chieftain  very  cordially  for  his  friendly 


234 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


escort,  made  him  a  present  of  knives,  clothing,  and 
other  valuables,  and  dismissed  him  and  his  followers. 
Patofa  was  not  unwillinj^  to  return.  He  was  highly 
gratified  with  the  presents  he  had  received,  and 
still  more  gratified  that  he  had  been  permitted  to 
wreak  vengeance  on  his  hereditary  foes. 

Two  days  after  his  departure,  the  Spanish  army 
was  again  in  motion,  along  the  banks  of  the  river. 
Every  step  they  took  revealed  to  them  the  awful 
ravages  committed  by  the  bands  of  Patofa.  They 
passed  many  dwellings  and  many  small  hamlets, 
where  the  ground  was  covered  with  the  scalpless 
bodies  of  the  dead.  The  natives  had  fled  in  terror 
to  the  woods,  so  that  not  a  living  being  was  encoun- 
tered. There  was,  however,  a  plentiful  supply  of 
food  in  the  villages,  and  the  army  again  enjoyed 
abundance. 

The  heroic  Afiasco  was  sent  in  advance  to  search 
out  the  way  and,  if  possible,  to  capture  some  Indians 
as  guides.  He  took  with  him  a  small  band  of  thirty 
foot-soldiers,  who  were  ordered  to  move  as  noise- 
lessly as  possible,  that  they  might,  perchance,  come 
upon  the  natives  by  surprise.  There  was  quite  a 
broad,  good  road  leading  along  the  banks  over  which 
the  band  advanced.  Night  came  upon  them  when 
they  were  about  six  miles  ahead  of  the  army.  They 
were  moving  in  profound  silence  and  with  noiseless 


LOST  IN  THE  WILDERNESS. 


235 


step  through  a  grove,  when  they  heard,  just  before 
them,  the  sounds  of  a  village.  The  barking  of  dogs, 
the  shouts  of  children,  and  the  voices  of  men  and 
women,  reached  their  ears.  Pressing  eagerly  forward, 
hoping  to  capture  some  Indians  in  the  suburbs,  they 
found  that  there  was  a  sudden  turn  in  the  river  and 
that  they  stood  upon  the  banks  of  its  deep  and 
swiftly  flowing  flood,  with  the  village  on  the  other 
side.  There  was  no  means  of  crossing,  neither 
would  it  have  been  prudent  to  have  crossed  with 
such  small  numbers,  not  knowing  the  force  they 
might  encounter  there. 

They  dispatched  couriers  back  in  the  night,  to  in- 
form De  Soto  of  their  discovery.  By  the  break  of 
day,  the  army  was  again  in  motion,  De  Soto  himself 
taking  the  lead,  with  one  hundred  horse  and  one  hun- 
dred foot.  When  he  reached  the  banks,  and  the  na- 
tives upon  the  opposite  shore  caught  sight  of  his 
glittering  dragoons,  on  their  magnificent  steeds,  they 
were  struck  with  amazement  and  consternation. 

It  would  seem  that  the  language  of  thr  0  differ- 
ent tribes  must  have  been  essentially  the  same,  for 
Juan  Ortiz  was  still  their  interpreter.  He  sho'ited 
across  the  river,  assuring  the  natives  of  the  friendly 
intentions  of  the  Spaniards,  and  urging  them  to  send 
some  one  over  to  convey  a  message  to  their  chief. 
After  some  little  hesitation  and  deliberation,  the  In- 


236 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


■iv^ 


dians  launched  a  large  canoe,  in  which  six  Indians  of 
venerable  appearance  took  their  seats,  while  quite  a 
number  of  lusty  men  grasped  the  oars.  Very  rapidly 
the  canoe  was  driven  through  the  water. 

De  Soto,  who  had  watched  these  movements  with 
deep  interest,  perceived  that  he  was  about  to  be 
visited  by  men  of  much  importance.  He  had  there- 
foie  brought  forward  and  placed  upon  the  banks  a 
very  showy  throne,  or  chair  of  state,  which  he  always 
carried  with  him  for  such  purposes.  Here  he  took 
his  seat,  with  his  retinue  of  officers  around  him. 

The  native  chieftains  landed  without  any  appa- 
rent fear,  approached  him  with  three  profound  rever- 
ences, and  then  with  much  dignity  inquired,  "  Do  you 
come  for  peace  or  for  war  ?  '' 

"  I  come  for  peace,"  De  Soto  replied,  "  and  seek 
only  an  unmolested  passage  through  your  land.  I 
need  food  for  my  people,  and  implore  your  assistance, 
by  means  of  canoes  and  rafts,  to  cross  the  river. 

The  Indians  replied,  that  they  were  thems'^lves 
somewhat  destitute  of  provisions ;  that  a  terrible 
pestilence  the  preceding  year  had  swept  off  many  of 
their  inhabitants  ;  and  that  others  in  their  consterna- 
tion had  fled  from  their  homes,  thus  neglecting  to 
cultivate  the  fields.  -  \.  ^ 

They  said  that  their  chieftain  was  a  young  prin- 
cess who  had  recently  inherited  the  government,  and 


LOST  IN  THE  WILDERNESS. 


237 


that  they  had  no  doubt  that  she  would  receive  them 
with  hospitality,  and  do  everything  in  her  power,  to 
promote  their  welfare.  Having  thus  concluded  this 
friendly  interview,  the  chiefs  returned  to  the  other 
side  of  the  river. 

Very  soon  the  Spaniards,  who  eagerly  watched 
every  movement,  perceived  a  decided  commotion  in 
the  village.  A  large  and  highly  decorated  canoe 
appeared  upon  the  banks ;  then  quite  a  gorgeous 
palanquin  was  seen  borne  by  four  men,  descending 
towards  the  stream ;  then  several  other  canoes  of 
imposing  structure  seemed  to  be  preparing  for  an 
aquatic  procession.  From  the  palanquin  a  graceful 
girl,  showily  dressed,  entered  the  state  canoe  and  re- 
clined upon  cushions  in  the  stern  under  a  canopy. 
Eight  female  attendants  accompanied  her. 

The  six  ambassadors,  who  had  already  visited  De 
Soto,  took  seats  in  the  canoe  which  led  the  van, 
driven  as  before  by  a  large  number  of  sinewy  arms. 
The  royal  barge  was  attached  to  this  canoe  and  was 
towed  by  it.  Several  other  boats,  filled  with  distin- 
guished men,  followed  in  the  rear,  completing  the  im- 
posing show.  * 

As  the  young  princess  '-.teppcd  on  shore,  all  the 
Spaniards  were  deeply  impressed  with  her  dignity, 
grace  and  beauty.  To  their  eyes,  she  was  in  form 
and  feature  as  perfect  as  any  image  which  Grecian 


238 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


artist  ever  sculptured.  Her  attendants  brought  with 
them  a  chair  of  state  upon  which  she  took  her  scat 
after  courteously  bowing  to  the  Governor.  Through 
an  interpreter  they  immediately  entered  into  conver- 
sation. The  princess  confirmed  the  statement  of  her 
ambassadors  in  reference  to  the  pestilence,  but  offered 
to  do  everything  in  her  power  to  provide  them  with 
food.  She  offered  one-half  of  her  own  residence  to 
De  Soto  for  his  accommodation,  and  one-half  of  the 
houses  in  her  village  as  barracks  for  the  soldiers. 
She  also  promised  that  by  the  next  day  rafts  and 
canoes  should  be  in  readiness  to  transport  the  Span- 
iards across  the  river. 

The  generous  soul  of  De  Soto  was  deeply  touched, 
and  he  assured  her  of  his  lasting  friendship  and  that 
of  his  sovereign.  At  the  close  of  the  interview  the 
princess  rose,  and  as  a  present,  suspended  a  string  of 
costly  pearls  around  the  neck  of  De  Soto.  The  Gov- 
ernor then  rose  and  presented  her  with  a  ring  of  gold 
set  with  a  ruby,  which  she  placed  upon  one  of  her 
fingers.  Thus  terminated  this  extraordinary  inter- 
view.    What  a  difference  between  peace  and  war ! 


"  Were  half  the  power  that  fills  the  world  with  terror, 
Were  half  the  wealth  bestowed  on  camps  and  courts. 
Given  to  re  eem  the  human  mind  from  error, 
There  were  no  need  for  arsenals  or  forts. 


LOST  IN  THE  WILDERNESS. 


239 


"  The  warrior's  name  would  be  a  name  abhorred  ; 
And  every  nation  that  should  lift  again 
Its  hand  against  a  brother,  on  its  forehead 
Would  wear  forevermore  the  curse  of  Cain." 


CHAPTER   XIV. 


The   Indian  Princess. 


Crossing  the  River. — Hospitable  Reception. — Attempts  to  visit  the 
Queen  Mother. — Suicide  of  the  Prince. — P'utile  search  for  Gold. 
— The  Discovery  of  Pearls. — The  Pearl  F'ishery. — The  T'rincess  a 
Captive. — Held  in  Silken  Chains. — Her  Escape. — Location  of 
Cutifachiqui. —  The  March  Resumed. 

The  next  day  after  the  extraordinary  interview 
which  we  have  described  in  the  last  chapter,  the  prin- 
cess ordered  several  large  rafts  to  be  constructed, 
and  with  these,  aided  by  a  number  of  canoes,  the 
army  crossed  the  rapid  stream.  Four  horses,  in  at- 
tempting to  swim  the  swift  river,  were  carried  away 
and  drowned.  These  animals  were  so  precious 
that  the  loss  was  deplored  by  the  whole  army. 

When  the  troops  had  all  crossed,  they  found  very 
pleasant  accommodations  provided  for  them.  Some 
were  lodged  in  the  village.  For  the  rest  commodious 
wigwams  were  erected  just  outside  of  the  village  in  a 
beautiful  mulberry  grove  on  the  river  banks.  The 
province  of  Cofachiqui  was  found  to  be  very  fertile 
and  quite  densely  populated.    The  natives  were  in 


THE   INDIAN   PRlNCKSS. 


241 


complexion  nearly  as  white  as  the  Spaniards.  They 
had  agreeable  features,  graceful  forms,  and  were  very 
frank  a'vj  aimable  in  disposition.  They  did  not  seem 
to  be  fond  of  war,  though  often  involved  in  conflicts 
with  their  neighbors.  According  to  the  custom  of 
the  times,  all  prisoners  of  war  were  enslaved  and 
were  employed  in  servile  labor.  To  prevent  their 
escape  the  cruel  expedient  was  adopted  of  cutting 
the  mail"  tendon  of  one  leg  just  above  the  heel. 

TIk  ri  ther  of  the  princess  of  this  tribe  was  a 
widow,  residing  in  a  retired  home  about  thirty-six 
miles  down  the  river.  De  Soto,  who  was  anxious  to 
secure  the  firm  friendship  of  this  interesting  people, 
expressed  an  earnest  desire  to  see  the  queen  mother. 
The  princess  immediately  dispatched  twelve  of  her 
chieftains  to  urge  her  mother  to  vibit  her,  that  she 
might  be  introduced  to  the  strange  visitors,  and  see 
the  wonderful  animals  on  which  they  rode. 

She  however  declined  the  invitation,  expressing 
her  very  decided  disapproval  of  the  conduct  of  her 
daughter,  as  both  inexpedient  and  indelicate,  in 
entering  into  such  friendly  relations  with  utter  stran- 
gers, of  whose  ulterior  designs  she  could  know  noth- 
ing. This  message,  greatly  increased  the  desire  of 
De  Soto  to  have  an  interview  with  the  queen  mother, 
that  he  might  conciliate  her  friendship.  He  there- 
fore dispatched  Juan  De  Afiasco,  who  was  alike  dis- 


242 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


tinguislicci  for  bravery  and  prudence,  with  thirty 
companions  on  foot,  to  convey  to  her  presents  and 
friendly  messages,  and  very  earnest  requests  that 
she  would  visit  them  at  the  court  of  her  daughter. 

The  princess  sent  a  near  relative  of  the  family  as 
guide  to  this  party — a  young  man  about  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  and  exceedingly  attractive  both  in 
person  and  character.  He  was  richly  habited  in 
garments  of  soft  deerskin,  beautifully  fringed  and 
embroidered,  with  a  head-dress  of  various  colored 
plumes. 

"  In  his  hand  he  bore  a  beautiful  bow,  so  highly 
pclishcd  as  to  appear  as  if  finely  enamelled.  At  his 
should'-T  hung  a  quiver  full  of  arrows.  With  a  light 
and  elastic  step  and  an  animated  and  gallant  air  his 
whole  appearance  was  that  of  an  ambassador,  worthy 
of  the  young  and  beautiful  princess  whom  he  served." 

The  morning  was  somewhat  advanced,  ere  they 
left  the  village.  It  was  a  beautiful  day  in  p.  lovely 
clime.  Their  route  led  down  the  banks  of  the  river 
through  luxuriant  and  enchanting  scenery.  After  a 
pleasant  walk  of  ten  or  twelve  mUes,  they  rested  in 
the  shade  of  a  grove,  for  their  noonday  meal.  Their 
young  guide  had  been  very  social  all  the  way,  enter- 
taining them  v/ith  infovmation  of  the  region  through 
which  they  were  passing.^nd  of  the  people.  As 
they  were  partaking  of  theii  refreshments,  suddenly 


THE  INDIAN  PRINCESS. 


243 


the  aspect  of  their  young  companion  became  greatly 
altered.  He  was  silent,  thoughtful  and  apparently 
deeply  depressed.  At  length  he  quietly  took  the 
quiver  from  his  shoulder,  and  slowly  and  seemingly 
lost  in  deep  reflection,  drew  out  the  arrows  one  by 
one.  They  were  very  beautiful,  of  the  highest  possi- 
ble finish,  keenly  pointed,  and  triangularly  feathered. 

The  Spaniards  took  them  up,  admired  them  gr^^at- 
ly,  and  passed  them  /rom  hand  to  hand.  At  length  he 
drew  out  an  arrow  barbed  with  flint,  long,  and  sharp, 
and  shaped  lik°  a  dagger.  Casting  an  anxious  glance 
around,  and  seeing  the  attention  of  the  Spauiards 
engrossed  in  examining  his  weapons,  he  plunged  the 
keen  pointed  arrow  down  his  throat,  ^^-^vering  an 
artery,  and  almost  immediately  fell  dead.  The  sol- 
diers were  shocked  and  bewildered,  not  being  able 
to  conceive  of  any  reason  for  the  dreadful  occur- 
rence. There  were  several  Indian  attendants  in  the 
company,  who  seemed  to  be  overwhelmed  with  dis- 
tress, uttering  loud  cries  of  grief  over  the  corpse. 

It  subsequently  appeared,  that  the  young  guide 
was  a  great  favorite  with  the  queen  mother ;  that  he 
knew  that  she  was  very  unwilling  to  have  any  ac- 
quaintance with  the  Spaniards,  and  he  apprehended 
that  it  was  their  object  to  seize  her  and  carry  her 
off  by  violence.  The  thought  that  he  was  guiding 
them  to  her   retreat  overwhelmed  him.     He  could 


244 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


not  endure  the  idea  of  meeting  her,  and  perhaps  of 
being  reproached  as  her  betrayer. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  queen,  whom  he  revered 
and  loved,  had  commissioned  him  to  conduct  the 
Spaniards  to  her  mother's  abode.  He  did  not  dare 
to  disobey  her  commands.  Either  alternative  was 
more  to  be  dreaded  by  him  than  death.  The  ingen- 
uous young  man  had,  therefore,  endeavored  to  es- 
cape from  the  dilemma  by  self-destruction. 

Juan  De  Anasco  was  not  only  deeply  grieved  by 
the  fate  of  his  young  friend,  but  also  greatly  per- 
plexed as  to  the  course  he  was  then  to  pursue. 
None  of  the  Indian  attendants  knew  where  the 
widow  was  concealed.  He  took  several  natives  pris- 
oners, and  anxiously  inquired  of  them  respecting  the 
residence  of  the  queen  mother.  But  cither  they 
could  not,  or  would  not,  give  him  any  information. 
After  wandering  about  fruitlessly  until  noon  of  the 
next  day,  he  returned  to  the  camp,  much  mortified 
in  reporting  to  De  Soto  the  utter  failure  of  his  ex- 
pedition. 

Two  days  after  his  return,  an  Indian  came  to  him 
and  offered  to  conduct  him  down'the  river  in  a  canoe, 
to  the  dwelling  of  the  queen  mother.  Kagerly  he 
accepted  the  proposition.  Two  large  canoes,  with 
strong  rowers,  were  prepared.  Anasco,  with  twenty 
companions,  set  out  on  this  second  expedition.     The 


THE   INDIAN    PRINCESS. 


245 


queen  n^ard  of  his  approach,  and,  with  a  few  attend- 
ants, secretly  fled  to  another  retreat  far  away.  After 
a  search  of  six  days,  the  canoes  returned,  having 
accomplished  nothing.  De  Soto  relinquished  all 
further  endeavors  to  obtain  an  interview  with  the 
widow. 

In  the  meantime,  while  Aiiasco  was  engaged  in 
these  unsuccessful  enterprises,  De  Soto  was  making 
very  anxious  inquiries  respecting  the  silver  and  the 
gold  which  he  had  been  informed  was  to  be  found 
in  the  province.  The  princess  listened  to  his  de- 
scription of  the  yellow  metal  and  the  white  metal  of 
which  he  was  in  search,  and  said  that  they  were  both 
to  be  found  in  great  abundance  in  her  territories. 
She  immediately  sent  out  some  Indians,  to  bring 
him  specimens.  They  soon  returned  laden  with  a 
yellow  metal  somewhat  resembling  gold  in  color, 
but  which  proved  to  be  nothing  but  an  alloy  of  cop- 
per. The  shining  substance  which  he  had  supposed 
was  silver,  was  nothing  but  a  wcthless  species  of 
mica,  or  quartz.  Thus  again,  to  his  bitter  disap- 
pointment, De  Soto  awoke  from  his  dreams  of  gold- 
en treasure,  to  the  toils  and  sorrows  of  his  weary 
life. 

The  princess  seemed  to  sympathize  with  her 
guest  in  the  bitterness  of  his  disappointment.  In 
her  attempts  at  consolation,  she  informed  him  that 


246 


FERDINAND  DE   SOTO. 


at  the  distance  of  about  three  miles  from  where  they 
were,  there  was  a  village  called  Talomeco,  which 
was  the  ancient  capital  of  the  realm ;  that  here 
there  was  a  vast  sepulchre,  in  which  all  the  chieftains 
and  great  warriors  had  been  buried  ;  that  their  bod- 
ies were  decorated  with  great  quantities  of  pearls. 

De  Soto,  with  a  large  retinue  of  his  own  officers 
arid  of  the  household  of  the  princess,  visited  this 
mausoleum.  Much  to  his  surprise,  he  found  there 
an  edifice  three  hundred  feet  in  length,  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty  in  breadth,  with  a  lofty  roof. 
The  entrance  was  decorated  with  gigantic  statuary 
of  wood.  One  of  these  statues  was  twelve  feet  in 
height.  In  the  interior  many  statues  and  carved 
ornaments  were  found. 

A  large  number  of  wooden  chests  or  coffins  con- 
tained the  decaying  bodies  of  the  illustrious  dead. 
By  the  side  of  each  of  these  there  was  another 
smaller  chest,  containing  such  valuables  as  it  was 
probably  supposed  the  chief  would  need  in  the  spirit- 
land.  Both  the  Inca  and  the  Portuguese  narrative 
agree  in  the  account  of  the  almost  incredible  number 
of  pearls  there  found.  It  is  said  that  the  Spaniards 
obtained  fourteen  bushels,  and  that  the  princess  as- 
sured them,  that  by  visiting  the  mausoleums  of  the 
various  villages,  they  could  find  enough  pearls  to 
load  down  all  the  horses  of  the  army. 


THE  INDIAN  PRINCESS. 


247 


The  Spaniards  gene  '!y  were  greatly  elated  at 
the  discovery  of  these  riches.  Pearls  were  esti- 
mated at  a  value  almost  equal  to  diamonds.  It  is  said 
that  Queen  Cleopatra  possessed  a  single  pearl  which 
was  valued  at  three  hundred  and  seventy-five  thou- 
sand dollars.  Philip  II.  of  Spain  received  as  a  present 
a  pearl,  about  the  size  of  a  pigeon's  egg,  valued  at 
one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  dollars. 

De  Soto  was  urged  to  establish  his  colony  upon 
this  river,  which  has  variously  been  conjectured  to 
have  been  the  St.  Helena,  ihe  Oconee,  the  Ogeechee, 
and  the  Savannah.  The  country  was  beautiful  and 
fertile  ;  the  climate  delightful ;  and  apparently  an 
inexhaustible  pearl  fishery  near.  It  was  urged  that 
an  agricultural  colony  could  be  established  on  the 
fertile  banks  of  the  river,  while  from  the  seaport  at 
its  mouth  a  lucrative  trade  could  be  carried  on  with 
the  mother  country  for  all  the  rich  productions  of 
Spain. 

But  the  persistent  spirit  of  De  Soto  was  not  to 
be  turned  from  its  one  great  all-absorbing  object, 
the  search  for  gold.  He  urged,  and  with  great  show 
of  reason,  that,  in  consequence  of  the  recent  pesti- 
lence, there  was  not  sufficient  provision  in  the  coun- 
try, to  support  the  army  for  a  month ;  that  by  con- 
tinuing their  march  they  might  enter  far  richer 
provinces,  and  might  find  mines  of  gold.     Should 


248 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


they  be  disappointed,  they  could  easily  return  ;  and 
in  the  meantime,  the  Indians  having  replanted  their 
land,  the  fields  would  wave  with  abundant  golden 
harvests. 

In  an  army  of  eight  or  nine  hundred  Spanish 
adventurers,  there  would  of  course  be  many  worth- 
less characters,  difficult  of  restraint.  De  Soto  had 
been  in  this  village  seveiul  weeki'..  Notwithstanding 
pA\  his  endeavors  to  promote  peace  and  friendship, 
several  broils  had  arisen  between  the  natives  and 
some  of  the  low  and  degraded  oi"  his  soldiery.  The 
conduct  of  these  vile  men  had  produced  a  general 
feeling  of  ill-will  among  the  natives.  Even  the 
princess  herself  manifested  estrangement.  She  had 
become  distant  and  reserved,  and  was  evidently 
desirous  that  her  no  longer  welcome  guests  should 
take  their  speedy  departure.  There  were  some 
indications  that  the  princess  so  far  distrusted  the 
Spaniards  that,  like  her  more  prudent  mother,  she 
was  about  secretly  to  escape  from  them  by  flight. 

This  would  leave  the  Spaniards  in  a  very  embar- 
rassed condition.  They  needed  guides  to  conduct 
them  through  the  extended  territory  of  the  princess. 
Heavily  armed  as  they  were,  they  needed  porters  to 
carry  their  burdens  of  extra  clothing  and  provisions. 
The  flight  of  the  princess  would  be  the  signal  for  the 
natives,  all  over  the  territory,  to  rise  in  a  war  of 


THE   INDIAN   I'RINCESS. 


249 


attempted  extermination.  The  queen  mother  would 
doubtless  do  everything  in  her  power  to  rouse  and 
stimulate  this  hostility.  The  Spaniards  thus  assailed 
on  every  side,  destitute  of  guides,  without  porters 
to  carry  "their  baggage,  and  with  but  little  food, 
would  find  themselves  compelled  in  self-defence,  to 
cut  their  way,  with  blood-dripping  sabres,  through 
their  foes,  to  rob  their  granaries,  and  to  leave  behind 
them  a  path  strown  with  the  dead,  and  filled  with 
misery. 

Again  De  Soto  found  himself  in  a  false  position 
Again  he  felt  constrained  to  do  that  which  his  own 
conscience  told  him  was  unjust.  The  only  possible 
way,  as  it  seemed  to  him,  by  which  he  could  obtain 
extrication  from  these  awful  difficulties,  was  to  seize 
the  person  of  the.  princess,  his  friend  and  benefactor, 
and  hold  her  as  a  captive  to  secure  the  good 
behavior  of  her  subjects.  He  knew  that  their  love 
for  her  was  such  that  so  long  as  she  was  in  his 
power,  they  would  not  enter  upon  any  hostile  move- 
ment which  might  bring  down  vengeance  upon  her 
head.  - 

If  De  Soto  had  accepted  the  spirit  of  the  noble 
letter  from  Isabella,  and  had  said,  "  I  will  no  longer 
persevere  in  this  invasion  of  the  lands  of  others, 
which  is  always  plunging  me  more  and  more  deeply 
into  difficulties," — had  he  said- frankly  to  the  friendly 
-     11* 


250 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


princess,  "  I  have  decided  to  return  to  my  home,  and 
I  solicit  your  friendly  cooperation  to  assist  me  on  my 
way  ;  and  had  he  made  her  a  present,  in  token  of  his 
gratitude,  of  some  of  those  articles  with  which  he 
could  easily  have  parted,  and  which  were  of  priceless 
value  to  her,  he  might  doubtless  have  retired  unmo- 
lested. Instead  of  this  he  followed  the  infamous 
example  which  Pizarro  had  set  him  in  Peru. 

He  appointed  a  guard,  who  were  directed  to  keep 
a  constant  watch  upon  the  princess,  so  that  she 
could  by  no  possibility  escape  ;  at  the  same  time 
he  informing  her,  in  the  most  courteous  tones,  that 
the  protection  of  his  army  and  of  her  own  people 
rendered  it  necessary  that  she  should  accompany 
him  on  his  march.  He  held  her  in  silken  chains, 
treating  her  with  the  utmost  delicacy  and  deference. 
The  princess  had  sufficient  shrewdness  to  affect 
compliance  with  this  arrangement.  It  certainly 
accomplished  the  desired  effect.  All  strife  between 
the  natives  and  th  :  Spaniards  ceased,  a  sufficient 
body  of  porters  accompanied  the  army,  and  its 
march  was  unimpeded.  A  beautiful  palanquin  was 
provided  for  the  princess,  and  the  highest  honors 
were  lavished  upon  her. 

Colonel  A.  J.  Pickett,  in  his  interesting  and  very 
carefully  prepared  History  of  Alabama,  speaking  of 
the  locality  of  this  village  where   De  Soto  tarried 


THE   INDIAN   PRINCESS. 


251 


SO    long,    and    encountered    so    many    adventures, 
says : 

"  He  entered  the  territory  of  the  present  Geor- 
gia at  its  southwestern  border,  and  successively 
crossing  the  Ockmulgee,  Oconee,  and  Ogcechee, 
finally  rested  on  the  banks  of  the  Savannah,  im- 
mediately opposite  the  modern  Silver  Bluff.  On 
the  eastern  side  was  the  town  of  Cutifachiqui, 
where  lived  an  Indian  queen,  young,  beautiful, 
and  unmarried,  and  who  ruled  the  country  around 
to  a  vast  extent.  In  1736  George  Golphin,  then 
a  young  Irishman,  established  himself  as  an  Indian 
trader  at  this  point,  and  gave  the  old  site  of  Cu- 
tifachiqui the  name  of  Silver  Bluff.  The  most 
ancient  Indians  informed  him  that  this  was  the 
place  where  De  Soto  found  the  Indian  princess ; 
and  this  tradition  agrees  with  that  preserved  by 
other  old  traders,  and  handed  down  to  me.'' 

According  to  this  statement  the  village  of  Cu- 
tifachiqui was  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Savan- 
nah river,  in  Barnwell  county,  in  the  State  of 
South  Carolina.  On  the  morning  of  the  4th  of 
May,  1540,  De  Soto  again  put  his  army  in  motion, 
taking  with  him  the  beautiful  queen  and  her  reti- 
nue of  plumed  warriors.  All  this  country  was 
then  called  Florida.  The  army  advanced  rapidly 
up  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Savannah   river,  where 


252 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


they  forded  the  stream,  and,  again  entering  the 
present  State  of  Georgia,  traversed  nearly  its  whole 
breadth  until  they  reached  the  head  waters  of  the 
Coosa  river.  Here,  at  the  confluence  of  the  Oos- 
tanaula  and  Etowa  rivers,  they  found  a  large  Indian 
town  called  Chiaha,  near  the  present  site  of  Rome. 

While  on  the  march  across  the  State  of  Georgia, 
the  queen,  probably  dreading  to  be  carried  captive 
beyond  her  own  domain,  and  aided  by  an  under- 
standing with  her  retinue,  leaped  from  the  palan- 
quin and  disappeared  in  a  dense  forest  through 
which  they  were  passing.  De  Soto  never  saw  her 
or  heard  from  her  again.  Undoubtedly  a  band  of 
her  warriors  were  in  rendezvous  there  to  receive 
her. 

For  five  days  the  adventurers  pressed  along  as 
rapidly  as  possible,  over  a  hilly  country  about  sixty 
miles  in  breadth.  Though  well  watered,  and 
abounding  in  beautiful  valleys,  luxuriant  with  mul- 
berry groves  and  rich  prairies,  it  seemed  to  be 
quite  uninhabited.  Having  crossed  this  mountain- 
ous region,  they  reached  a  populous  district  called 
Guachule.  The  chief  had  received  an  intimation 
of  the  approach  of  the  Spaniards,  and  that  they 
came  as  messengers-  of  peace  and  not  of  war. 
When  De  Soto  and  his  band,  led  by  native  guides 
whom  they  had  picked    up   by  the    way,    had    ar- 


THE   INDIAN   PRINCESS. 


253 


rived  within  two  miles  of  the  village  of  the  chief, 
they  discovered  him  approaching  them  with  a  reti- 
nue of  five  hundred  plumed  warriors,  adf  rned 
with  glittering  robes  and  weapons  in  the  highest 
style  of  semi-barbaric  display.  The  chief  was  un- 
embarrassed, dignified,  and  courtly  in  his  address. 
He  received  De  Soto  with  truly  fraternal  kindness, 
escorted  him  to  his  village,  which  consisted  of 
three  hundred  spacious  houses,  in  a  beautiful  val- 
ley of  running  streams  at  the  base  of  adjacent 
hills. 

The  dwelling  of  the  chief  was  upon  a  spacious 
artificial  mound,  the  summit  of  which  was  suffi- 
ciently broad  for  the  large  edifice,  leaving  a  ter- 
race all  around  it  about  twelve  feet  in  breadth. 
Here  De  Soto  remained  four  days,  enjoying  the 
hospitality  of  the  friendly  Cacique. 

Resuming  their  journey,  the  army  marched 
down  the  banks  of  a  large  stream,  supposed  to  be 
the  Etowa,  which  empties  into  the  Coosa.  For 
five  days  they  continued  their  march  through  an 
uninteresting  country,  almost  destitute  of  inhabit- 
ants, until,  having  traversed,  as  they  supposed, 
about  ninety  miles,  they  came  in  sight  of  a  large 
village,  called  Chiaha. 

'-  De  Soto,  having  arrived  opposite  the  great 
town  of  Chiaha,  which  probably  occupied  the  pres- 


254 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


ent  site  of  Rome,  crossed  the  Oostanaula  in  ca- 
noes, and  upon  rafts  made  of  logs,  prepared  by 
the  Indians,  and  took  up  his  quarters  in  the  town. 
The  noble  young  chief  received  De  Soto  with  un- 
affected joy,  and  made  him  the  following  address: 

"  Mighty  Chief: — Nothing  could  have  made  me 
so  happy  as  to  be  the  means  of  serving  you  and 
your  warriors.  You  sent  me  word  from  Guaxulc 
to  have  corn  collected  to  last  your  army  two 
months.  Here  I  have  twenty  barns  full  of  the 
best  which  the  country  can  afford.  If  I  have  not 
met  your  wishes  respect  my  tender  age,  and  re- 
ceive my  good-will  to  do  for  you  whatever  I  am 
able." 

The  Governor  responded  in  a  kind  manner,  and 
was  then  conducted  to  the  chief's  own  house,  pre- 
pared for  his  accommodation.  The  confluence  of 
the  Oostanaula  and  Etowa  at  this  point  forms 
the  Coosa.  Here  De  Soto  remained  for  a  fort- 
night, recruiting  his  wearied  men  and  his  still 
more  exhausted  horses.  It  was  bright  and  balmy 
summer,  and  the  soldiers  encamping  in  a  luxuri- 
ant mulberry  grove  a  little  outside  of  the  town, 
enjoyed,  for  a  season,  rest  and  abundance.  De 
Soto,  as  usual,  made  earnest  inquiries  for  gold. 
He  was  informed  that  about  thirty  miles  north  of 
him  there  were  mines  of  copper,  and  also  of  some 


THE  INDIAN  PRINCESS. 


255 


metal  of  the  color  of  copper,  but  finer,  brighter, 
and  softer;  and  that  the  natives  sometimes  melted 
them  together  in  their  manufacture  of  barbs,  spear- 
heads, and  hatchets. 

This  intelligence  excited  De  Soto  with  new 
hopes.  He  had  occasionally  met  on  his  way  na- 
tives with  hatchets  composed  of  copper  and  gold 
melted  together.  As  the  province,  which  was  called 
Chisca,  was  separated  from  Chiaha  by  a  pathless 
wilderness  which  horses  could  not  traverse,  De 
Soto  sent  two  of  his  most  trusty  followers  on  an 
exploring  tour  through  the  region,  conducted  by 
Indian  guides.  After  an  absence  of  '  n  days  they 
returned  with  the  disappointing  report  that  they 
found  nothing  there  but  copper  of  different  degrees 
of  purity. 

The  rivers  in  the  vicinity  of  Chiaha  seem  to 
have  abounded  with  pearl  oysters,  and  large  num- 
bers of  beautiful  pearls  were  obtained.  The  na- 
tives nearly  spoiled  them  all  by  boring  them  through 
with  a  red-hot  rod,  that  they  might  string  them 
as  bracelets.  One  day  the  Cacique  presented  De 
Soto  with  a  string  of  pearls  six  feet  in  length, 
each  pearl  as  large  as  a  filbert.  These  gems  would 
have  been  of  almost  priceless  value  but  for  the 
action  of  fire  upon  them. 

De  Soto  expressed   some  curiosity  to   see   how 


256 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


the  pearls  were  obtained.  The  Cacique  immedi- 
ately dispatched  forty  canoes  down  the  river  to 
fish  during  the  night  for  pearl  oysters.  In  the 
morning  Dc  Soto  accompanied  the  Cacique  to  the 
banks  of  the  river  where  the  oysters  were  col- 
lected. Large  fires  w^ere  built,  and  the  oysters 
placed  upon  the  glowing  coals.  The  heat  opened 
them,  and  the  pearls  were  sought  for.  From  some 
of  the  first  thus  opened  ten  or  twelve  pearls  were 
•obtained,  about  the  size  of  peas.  They  were  all, 
however,  more  or  less  injured  by  the  heat.  Col. 
Pickett  says  that  the  oyster  mentioned  was  the 
jnuscle,  to  be  found  in  all  the  rivers  of  Alabama. 

Again  De  Soto  commenced  his  journey,  leaving 
the  friendly  chief  and  his  people  well  cor.tented 
with  the  presents  he  made  them  of  gayly  colored 
Cloths,  knives,  and  other  trinkets.  Following  the 
banks  (>{  the  Coosa  to  the  west  they  soon  entered 
what  is  now  the  State  of  Alabama,  and  on  the 
cccond  of  July  came  to  a  large  native  town  named 
Acoste.  The  tribe,  or  nation,  inhabiting  this  re- 
gion, was  famed  for  its  martial  prowess.  The  Ca- 
cique, a  fierce  warrior,  did  not  condescend  to  advance 
to  meet  De  Soto,  but  at  the  head  of  fifteen  hun- 
dred of  his  soldiers,  well  armed  and  gorgeously 
uniformed,  awaited  in  the  public  square  the  ap- 
proach of  the  Spanish,  chief     De   Soto  encamped 


THE   INDIAN    PRINCESS. 


257 


his  army  just  outside  of  the  town,  ind,  with  a 
small  retinue,  rode  in  to  pay  his  respects  to  the 
Cacique. 

Some  of  the  vagabond  soldiers  straggled  into 
the  city,  and  were  guilty  of  some  outrages,  which 
led  the  natives  to  fall  upon  them.  De  Soto,  with 
his  accustomed  presence  of  mind,  seized  a  cudgel 
and  assisted  the  nai-ves  in  fighting  the  Spaniards, 
vhile  at  the  same  moment  h<.'  dispatched  a  cour- 
ier to  summon  the  whole  army  to  his  rescue. 
Peace  was  soon  established,  but  there  was  some 
irritation  on  both  sides.  The  next  morning  De 
Soto  was  very  v/illing  to  leave  the  neighborhood, 
and  the  chief  was  not.    mwilling  to  have  him. 

De  Soto  crosj,ed  the  river  Coosa  to  the  eastern 
banks,  and  journeying  along  in  a  southerly  direc- 
ti(jn,  at  the  rate  of  about  twelve  miles  a  day,  passed 
over  a  fertile  and  populous  region,  nearly  three  hun- 
dred miles  in  extent.  It  is  supposed  his  path  led 
through  the  present  counties  of  Ikniton,  Talladega, 
Coosa,  and  Tallapoosa,  in  Alabama.  Throughout 
the  whole  route  they  were  treated  by  the  natives 
with  the  most  profuse  hospitality,  being  fed  by  them 
liberally,  and  supplied  with  guides  to  lead  them 
from  one  village  to  anotb.er  The  province  which 
De  Soto  V  as  thus  traversing,  and  which  was  far- 
famed  for  its  beauty  and  fertility,  was  called  Coo  a. 


258 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


With  a  dcHghtfLil  climate,  and  aboundinj^  in  fine 
meadows  and  beautiful  little  rivers,  this  region  was 
charming  to  De  Soto  and  his  followers.  The  nu- 
merous barns  were  full  of  corn,  while  acres  of  that 
which  was  gro\ying  bent  to  the  warm  rays  of  the 
sun  and  rustled  in  the  breeze.  In  the  plains  were 
plum  trees,  peculiar  to  the  country,  and  others  re- 
sembling those  oi"  Spain.  Wild  fruit  clambered  to 
the  tops  of  the  loftiest  trees,  and  lower  branches 
were  laden  with  delicious  Isabella  grapes."* 

This  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  same  native 
grape,  called  the  Isabella,  which  has  since  been  so 
extensively  cultivated. 

*  History  of  Alabama,  by  Albert  James  Pickett,  p.  17. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


The  Dreadful  Battle  of  Mobila. 


"^\\c  Army  in  Alabama. — Barbaric  Pageant. — Tiie  Chief  of  Tusca- 
loosa.— Native  Dif^nity. — Susjiected  Treachery  of  the  Chief. — 
Mobila,  its  Location  and  Importance. — Cunning  of  the  Chief. — 
The  Spaniards  Attacked. — Incidents  of  the  Battle. — Disastrous 
Results. 

On  the  15th  of  July,  1540,  the  army  came  in 
sight  of  the  mctropoHtan  tovm  of  the  rich  and  popu- 
lous province  throirgh  which  it  was  passing.  The 
town,  like  the  province,  bore  the  name  of  Coosa. 
The  army  had  travelled  slowly,  so  that  the  native 
chief,  by  his  swift  footmen,  had  easily  kept  himself 
informed  of  all  its  movements.  When  within  a  mile 
or  two  of  Coosa,  De  Soto  saw  in  the  distance  a  very 
splendid  display  o{  martial  bands  advancing  to  meet 
him.  The  friendly  greeting  he  had  continually  re- 
ceived disarmed  all  suspicion  of  a  hostile  encounter. 

The  procession  rapidly  approached.  At  its  head 
was  the  chief,  a  young  man  twenty-six  years  of  ,'  ge, 
of  admirable  figrre  and  countenance,  borne  fn  a 
chair  palanquin  upon  the  shoulders  of  four  of  his 
warriors.     A  thousand  soldiers,  in  their  most  gaudy 


200 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


attire,  composed  his  train.  As  they  drew  near,  with 
the  music  of  well-phiycd  flutes,  with  regular  tread, 
their  mantles  and  plumes  waving  in  the  breeze,  all 
the  Spaniards  were  alike  impressed  with  the  beauty 
of  the  spectacle.  The  chief  himself  was  decorated 
with  a  mantle  of  rich  furs  gracefully  thrown  over  his 
shoulders.  His  diadem  was  of  plumes  very  bril- 
liantly colored.  He  addressed  De  Soto  in  the  fol- 
lowing speech  : 

"  Mighty  chief,  above  all  others  of  the  earth. 
Although  I  come  now  to  receive  you,  yet  I  received 
you  many  days  ago  deep  in  my  heart.  If  I  had  the 
whole  world  it  would  not  give  me  as  much  pleasure  as 
I  now  enjoy  at  the  presence  of  yourself  and  your  in- 
comparable warriors.  My  person,  lands,  and  sub- 
jects are  at  your  service.  I  will  now  march  you  to 
your  quarters  with  playing  and  singing."* 

De  Soto  made  a  suitable  response.  Then  the 
two  armies,  numbering,  with  their  attendants,  more 
than  two  thousand  men,  commenced  their  march  to- 
ward the  town.  The  native  chief  was  borne  in  his 
palanquin,  and  De  Soto  rode  on  his  magnific(>nt 
charger  by  his  side.  The  rf>yal  palace  was  assigned 
to  De  Soto,  and  one-half  of  the  houses  in  the  town 
were  appropriated  to  the  soldiers  fcjr  their  lodgings. 

The  town  of  Uoosa,  whieh  Cfjnsisted  of  five  hun- 

*  Portuguese  Narrative,  p.  7Jy. 


THE   DREADFUL  BATTLE   OF   MOBILA. 


261 


drc\l  houses,  was  situated  on  the  cast  bank  of  the 
river  of  the  same  name,  between  two  creeks  now 
known  as  TaHadega  and  Tallasehatchec.  During  a 
residence  of  twelve  days  in  this  delightful  retreat, 
some  slight  disturbance  arose  between  some  of  the 
natives  and  some  of  the  Spanish  soldiers.  It  was, 
however,  easily  quelled  by  the  prudence  and  friendly 
disposition  of  the  chief  and  the  Governor.  Indeed, 
the  native  chief  became  so  attached  to  De  Soto  as 
to  urge  him  to  establish  his  colony  there.  Or  if  he 
could  not  consent  to  that  arrangement,  at  least  to 
spend  the  winter  with  him. 

"  But  De  Soto,"  writes  Mr.  Irving,  "  was  anxious 
to  arrive  at  the  bay  of  Achusi,  where  he  had  ap- 
pointed Captain  Diego  Maldonado  to  meet  him  in 
the  autumn.  Since  leaving  the  province  of  Xuala 
he  had  merely  made  a  bend  through  the  country, 
and  was  now  striking  southerly  for  the  sea-coast.'' 

On  the  20th  of  August  the  Spanish  army,  after 
having  spent  twenty-five  days  at  Coosa,  was  again 
in  movement.  The  chief  of  Cocsa,  and  a  large  body 
of  his  warriors,  accompanied  De  Soto  to  their  fron- 
tiers, evidently  as  a  friendly  retinue.  The  Portuguese 
Narrative  makes  the  incredible  assertion  that  they 
were  all  prisoners,  compelled  to  follow  the  army  for 
its  protection  and  as  guides.  With  much  more 
probability  it  is  represented  that  one  of  the  chief's 


253 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


subordinate  offices  on  the  frontier  was  in  a  state  of 
insurrection,  ami  that  upon  that  account  the  chief 
gladly  accompanied  the  Soaiiiards,  hoping  to  over- 
awe his  refractory  subjects  by  appearing  among 
them  with  such  formidable  allies. 

The  Spaniards  now  entered  the  territory  of  Tus- 
caloosa,  who   was    the    most    warlike    and  powerful 
chieftain    of  all    the   southern    tribes.     His   domain 
comprised  nearly  the  whole  of  the  present  States  of 
A'abama  and  Mississippi.    The  Tuscaloosa,  or  Black 
Warrior  river,  flowed  through  one  of  the  richest  of 
his   valleys.      Though   there  were  no  mails  or  tele- 
graphs in   those   days,  Indian    runiicrs  conveyed  all 
important  intelligence  with  very  considerable  rapid- 
ity.    1  he  chief  had  heard  of  the  approach    of  the 
Spaniards,  and  the  annalists  of  those  days  say,  we 
know  not   with   what  authority,   that    he   hesitated 
whether  to  receivf-  them  as  friends  or  foes.     What- 
ever may  have  been  his  secret  thoughts,  he  certainly 
sent  his  son,  a  young  man  of  eighteen,  with  a  reti- 
nue  of  wa''rior^,  t(j   UM't   De   Soto  with  proffers  of 
friendship. 

The  young  ambassador  was  a  splendid  specimen 
of  manhood,  being  taller  than  any  Spaniard  or  Iii- 
dian  in  the  army,  and  admirably  formed  for  both 
strength  and  agility.  In  his  bearing  he  was  self-pos- 
sessed and  courteous,  appearing  like    a   gentleman 


THE   DREADFUL   BATTLE   OF  MOBTLA. 


263 


accustomed  to  polished  society.  De  Soto  was  much 
impressed  by  his  appearance  and  princely  manners. 
He  received  him  with  the  utmost  kindness,  made 
him  several  valuable  presents,  and  dismissed  Vim 
with  friendly  messages  to  his  father,  stating  that  he 
cordially  accepted  of  his  friendship,  and  would 
shorly  visit  him. 

De  Soto  then  crossed  the  river  Tuscaloosa,  or 
Black  Warrior,  having  first  taken  an  affectionate  leave 
of  the  Cacique  of  Coosa,  who  had  accompanied  him  to 
this  frontier  river.  A  journey  of  two  days  brought 
the  Spaniards  to  within  six  miles  of  the  large  village 
where  the  chief  of  Tuscaloosa  was  awaiting  their 
arrival.  As  they  reached  this  spot  in  the  evening, 
they  encamped  for  the  night  in  a  pleasant  grove. 
Early  the  next  morning  De  Soto  sent  forward  a 
courier  to  apprise  the  chief  of  his  arrival,  and  set  out 
soon  after  himself,  accompanied  by  a  suitable  retinue 
of  horsemen. 

The  chief  had,  however,  by  his  own  scouts,  kept 
himself  informed  of  every  movement  of  the  Span- 
iards. He  had  repaired  with  a  hundred  of  his  no- 
bles, and  a  large  band  of  warriors,  to  the  summit  of 
a  hill,  over  which  the  route  of  the  Spaniards  led,  and 
which  commanded  a  magnificent  prospect  of  the 
country  for  many  leagues  around.  He  was  seated 
on  a  chair  of  stijte^  and  a  canopy  of  particolored 


264 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


deer-skin,  very  softly  tanned,  and  somewhat  resem- 
bling a  large  umbrella,  was  held  over  his  head.  His 
chief  men  were  arranged  respectfully  and  in  order 
near  him,  while  at  a  little  distance  his  warriors  were 
p«.  ;ted  in  martial  bands.  The  whole  spectacle, 
crowning  the  smooth  and  verdant  hill,  presented  a 
beautiful  pageant. 

The  Cacique  was  about  forty  years  of  age,  and  of 
gigantic  proportions,  being,  like  his  son,  nearly  a 
head  taller  than  any  of  his  attendants.  He  was 
well-formed,  and  his  countenance  indicated  perfect 
self-possession,  intelligence,  and  great  firmness.  The 
sight  of  the  cavaliers  approaching  with  their  silken 
banners,  their  glittering  armor,  and  bestride  their 
magnificent  steeds,  must  have  been  astounding  m 
the  highest  degree  to  one  who  had  never  seen  a  quad- 
ruped larger  than  a  dog.  But  the  proud  chief  as- 
sumed an  air  of  imperturbable  gravity  and  indiffer- 
ence. 

One  would  have  supposed  that  he  had  been  ac- 
customed to  such  scenes  from  his  childhood.  He 
did  not  deign  even  to  look  upon  the  horsemen, 
tiiough  some  of  them  endeavored  to  arrest  his 
attention  by  causing  the  animals  to  prance  and  rear. 
Without  taking  the  slightest  notice  of  the  cavaliers 
who  preceded  De  Soto,  his  eye  seemed  instantly  to 
discern  the  Governor.     As  he  approached,  the  chief 


THE   DREADFUL   BATTLE   OF   MOBILA. 


265 


courteously  arose,  and  advanced  a  few  steps  to  meet 
him.  De  Soto  alighted  from  his  horse,  and  with 
Spanish  courtesy  embraced  the  chieftain,  who,  with 
great  dignity,  addressed  him  in  the  following  words: 

**  Mighty  chief,  I  bid  you  welcome.  I  greet  you 
as  I  would  my  brother.  It  is  needless  to  talk  long. 
What  I  have  to  say  can  be  said  in  a  few  words. 
You  shall  know  how  willing  I  am  to  serve  you.  I 
am  thankful  for  the  things  you  have  sent  me,  chiefly 
because  they  were  yours.  I  am  now  ready  to  com- 
ply  with  your  desires." 

This  interview,  it  is  supposed,  took  place  in  the 
present  county  of  Montgomery,  Alabama.  The 
whole  party  then  returned  to  the  village,  De  Soto 
and  the  chief  walking  arm  in  arm.  A  spacious  house 
was  assigned  to  De  Soto  and  his  suite  by  the  side  of 
that  occupied  by  the  Cacique. 

After  a  rest  of  two  days  in  the  village,  enjoying 
the  rather  cold  and  reserved,  but  abundant  hospital- 
ity of  the  chief,  the  Spaniards  continued  their 
march.  The  chief,  either  for  his  own  pleasure  or  by 
persuasion,  was  induced  to  accompany  him.  The 
most  powerful  horse  in  the  army  was  selected  to 
bear  his  herculean  frame ;  and  yet  it  is  said  that 
when  the  Cacique  bestrode  him  his  feet  almost 
touched    the   ground.     De    Soto    had    made   him  a 

present   of  a  dress  and  mantle  of  rich  scarlet  cloth 
12 


266 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


Thus  habited  and  mounted,  with  his  towering 
plumes,  he  attracted  all  eyes.  The  two  chieftains 
rode  side  by  side.  Their  route  led  through  the 
counties  of  Montgomery,  Lowndes,  and  the  south- 
eastern part  of  Dallas,  until  they  came  to  a  large 
town  called  Piache,  upon  the  Alabama  river.  This 
stream  they  passed  on  rafts  of  log  and  cane,  proba- 
bly in  the  upper  part  of  the  county  of  Wilcox.  The 
expedition  then  turned  in  a  southerly  direction,  fol- 
lowing down  the  western  bank  of  the  Alabama 
through  Wilcox  county. 

The  Indian  chief  continued  proi^d  and  distant ; 
was  observed  to  be  frequently  consultingwith  his  prin- 
cipal men,  and  often  dispatching  runners  in  different 
directions.  De  Soto  was  led  to  suspect  that  some 
treachery  was  meditated.  Two  of  the  Spaniards, 
who  had  wandered  a  little  distance  in  the  woods, 
disappeared,  and  were  never  heard  of  again.  It 
was  suspected  that  they  had  been  killed  by  the  na- 
tives. The  Cacique  being  questioned  upon  the  sub- 
ject, angrily  and  contemptuously  replied  : 

"Why  do  you  ask  me  about  your  people?  Am  I 
their  keeper?  " 

These  suspicions  led  De  Soto  to  keep  a  close 
watch  upon  the  chief.  This  was  done  secretly, 
while  still  friendly  relations  were  maintained  be- 
tween them.     It  was  more  than  probable  that  the 


THE  DREADFUL  BAITLE  OF  MOBILA. 


267 


chief  was  himself  a  spy  in  the  Spanish  camp,  and 
that  he  was  treacherously  gatherinj^  his  powerful 
armies  at  some  favorable  point  where  he  could  effect- 
ually annihilate  the  Spaniards,  and  enrich  himself 
with  all  their  possessions  of  armor  and  horses.  It 
was  therefore  a  matter  of  prudence,  almost  a  vital 
necessity,  for  De  Soto  to  throw  an  invisible  guard 
around  the  chieftain,  that  all  his  movements  might 
be  narrowly  observed,  and  that  he  might  not  take  to 
sudden  flight.  With  him  in  their  hands  as  a  host- 
age, the  hostility  of  his  warriors  might,  perhaps,  be 
effectually  arrested. 

They  were  now  approaching  the  town  of  Mobila, 
which  was  the  capital  of  the  Tuscaloosa  kingdom. 
This  town  was  probably  situated  at  a  place  now  call- 
ed Chocta'w  Bluff,  on  the  north  or  western  side  of  the 
Alabama  river,  in  the  county  of  Clarke.  At  that 
point  the  Spaniards  were  at  a  distance  of  about 
twenty-five  miles  above  the  confluence  of  the  Ala- 
bama and  the  Tombigbee,  and  about  eighty-five 
miles  from  the  bay  of  Pensacola.  The  town  was 
beautifully  situated  upon  a  spacious  plain,  and  con- 
sisted of  eighty  very  large  houses ;  each  one  of 
which,  it  was  stated,  would  accommodate  a  thousand 
men.  - 

As  they  approached  this  important  place,  De  So- 
to  sent  forward  some  very  reliable  couriers,  to  ob- 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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A 


268 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


serve  if  there  were  any  indications  of  conspiracy. 
Early  in  the  morning  of  the  eighteenth  of  October, 
1540,  De  Soto  with  the  advance  guard  of  his  army, 
consisting  of  one  hundred  footmen,  all  picked  men, 
accompanied  by  the  Cacique,  entered  the  streets  of 
Mobila.  Mr.  Irving  gives  the  following  interesting 
account  of  this  important  capital : 

"  This  was  the  stronghold  of  the  Cacique,  where 
he  and  his  principal  men  resided.  It  stood  in  a 
fine  plain,  and  was  surrounded  by  a  high  wall,  formed 
of  huge  trunks  of  trees  driven  into  the  ground,  side 
by  side,  and  wedged  together.  These  were  crossed, 
within  and  without,  by  others,  small  and  longer, 
bound  to  them  by  bands  made  of  split  reeds  and  wild 
vines.  The  whole  was  thickly  plastered  over  with  a 
kind  of  mortar,  made  of  clay  and  straw  trampled  to- 
gether, which  filled  up  every  chink  and  crevice  of 
the  wood-work,  so  that  it  appeared  as  if  smoothed 
with  a  trowel.  Throughout  its  whole  circuit,  the 
wall  was  pierced  at  the  height  of  a  man  with  loop- 
holes, whence  arrows  might  be  discharged  at  an  en- 
emy, and  at  every  fifty  paces,  it  was  surmounted  by  a 
tower  capable   of  holding  seven   or   eight  fighting 


men. 


)j 


As  De  Soto  and  the  chief,  accompanied  by  the 
advance  guard  of  the  Spanish  army,  and  a  numer- 
ous train  of  Indian  warriors,  approached  the  walls,  a 


THE  DREADFUL    BATTLE   OF   MOEILA. 


269 


large  band  of  native  soldiers,  in  compact  martial  ar- 
ray, and  as  usual  gorgeously  decorated,  emerged 
from  one  of  the  gates.  They  were  preceded  by  a 
musical  band,  playing  upon  Indian  flutes,  and  were 
followed  by  a  group  of  dancing  girls,  remarkably 
graceful  and  beautiful.  As  we  have  mentioned,  De 
Soto,  and  the  Cacique  in  his  scarlet  uniform,  rode 
side  by  side.  Traversing  the  streets,  the  whole 
band  arrived  in  the  central  square.  Here  they  alight- 
ed, and  all  the  horses  were  led  outside  the  walls  to 
be  tethered  and  fed. 

The  chief  then,  through  Juan  Ortiz,  the  inter- 
preter, pointed  out  to  De  Soto  one  of  the  largest 
houses  for  the  accommodation  of  himself  and  suite. 
Another  adjoining  house  was  appropriated  to  the 
servants  and  attendants.  Cabins  were  also  immedi- 
ately reared  just  outside  the  walls  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  main  body  of  the  army. 

De  Soto  was  somewhat  anxious  in  view  of  this 
arrangement.  It  was  effectually  separating  him 
from  his  soldiers,  and  was  leaving  the  Cacique  en- 
tirely at  liberty.  Some  words  passed  between  the 
chief  and  the  Governor,  which  led  to  an  angry  reply 
on  the  part  of  the  Cacique,  who  turned  upon  his 
heel  and  retired  to  his  own  palace.  The  main  body 
of  the  army  had  not  yet  come  up,  and  if  the  chief 


1.^ 


2/0 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


meditated  treachery,  the  moment  was  very  favor- 
able for  an  attack  upon  the  advance  guard  only. 

Soon  after  the  Cacique  had  left  in  an  angry 
mood,  one  of  the  cavaliers  whom  De  Soto  had  sent 
forward  to  examine  into  the  state  of  affairs,  entered 
with  the  announcement  that  many  circumstances  in- 
dicated a  dark  and  treacherous  plot.  He  said  that 
more  than  ten  thousand  warriors,  all  evidently 
picked  men,  and  thoroughly  armed,  were  assembled 
in  the  various  houses.  Not  a  child  was  to  be  found 
in  the  town,  and  scarcely  a  woman,  excepting  the 
few  dancing  girls  who  had  formed  a  part  of  the 
escort.     . 

The  Governor  was  much  alarmed  by  these  tid- 
ings. He  dispatched  orders  to  all  the  troops  who 
were  with  him  to  be  on  the  alert,  and  to  hold  them- 
selves in  readiness  to  repel  an  assault.  At  the  same 
time  he  sent  back  a  courier  to  inform  Luis  De  Mos- 
coso,  who  was  master  of  the  Spanish  camp,  of  the 
dangerous  posture  of  affairs.  Unfortunately,  rely- 
ing upon  the  friendly  spirit  of  the  natives,  he  had 
allowed  his  men  to  scatter  widely  from  the  camp, 
hunting  and  amusing  themselves.  It  was  some  time 
before  they  could  be  collected.  '. 

De  Soto,  anxious  to  avert  a  rupture,  wished  to 
get  the  person  of  the  Cacique  in  his  power.  They 
had  been  accustomed  since  they  met  to  eat  together. 


THE  DREADFUL  BATTLE  OF   MOBILA. 


271 


As  soon  as  the  attendants  of  the  Governor  had  pre- 
pared some  refreshments  for  him,  he  sent  Juan  Ortiz 
to  invite  the  Cacique  to  join  him  in  the  repast.  The 
interpreter  was  not  permitted  to  enter  the  palace, 
but  after  a  Httle  delay,  a  messenger  announced  that 
the  Cacique  would  come  pretty  soon. 

The  Governor  waited  some  time,  and  aj^ain  sent 
Ortiz  to  repeat  the  invitation.  Again  the  interpre- 
ter returned  with  the  same  response.  After  an- 
other interval  of  waiting,  and  the  Cacique  not 
appearing,  Ortiz  was  sent  for  the  third  time.  Ap- 
proaching the  door  of  the  palace,  he  shouted  out,  in 
a  voice  sufficiently  loud  to  be  heard  by  all  within, 
"  Tell  the  chief  of  Tuscaloosa  to  come  forth.  The 
food  is  upon  the  table,  and  the  Governor  is  waiting 
for  him." 

Immediately  one  of  the  principal  attendants  of 
the  Cacique  rushed  out  in  a  towering  passion,  and 
exclaimed : 

"  Who  are  these  robbers,  these  vagabonds,  who 
keep  calling  to  my  chief  of  Tuscaloosa,  *  come  out  I 
come  out ! '  with  as  little  reverence  as  if  he  were  one 
of  them  ?  By  the  sun  and  moon,  this  insolence  is  no 
longer  to  be  borne !  Let  us  cut  them  to  pieces  on 
the  spot,  and  put  an  end  to  their  wickedness  and 
tyranny!'* 

Uttering  these  words,  he  threw  off  his   superb 


2/2 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


mantle  of  marten  skins,  and  seizing  a  bow  from  the 
hands  of  an  attendant,  drew  an  arrow  to  the  head, 
aiming  at  a  group  of  Spaniards  in  the  public  square. 
But  before  the  arrow  left  the  bow,  a  steel-clad  cava- 
lier, who  had  accompanied  the  interpreter,  with  one 
thrust  of  his  sword  laid  the  Indian  dead  at  his  feet. 
The  son  of  the  dead  warrior,  a  vigorous  young  sav- 
age, sprang  forward  and  let  fly  upon  the  cavalier 
six  or  seven  arrows,  as  fast  as  he  could  draw  them. 
But  they  all  fell  harmless  from  his  armor.  He  then 
seized  a  club  and  struck  him  three  or  four  blows 
over  the  head  with  such  force  that  the  blood  gushed 
from  beneath  his  casque. 

All  this  was  done  in  an  instant,  when  the  cava- 
lier, recovering  from  his  surprise,  with  two  sword- 
thrusts,  laid  the  young  warrior  dead  in  his  blood  by 
the  side  of  his  father.  It  seemed  as  though  instan- 
taneously the  war-whoop  resounded  from  a  thousand 
throats. 

The  concealed  warriors,  ten  thousand  in  number, 
with  hideous  yells,  like  swarming  bees,  rushed  into 
the  streets.  De  Soto  had  but  two  hundred  men  to 
meet  them.  But  these  were  all  admirably  armed, 
and  most  of  them  protected  by  coats  of  mail.  He 
immediately  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  his  troops, 
and  slowly  retreating,  fighting  fiercely  every  inch  of 
the  way,  with  his  armored  men  facing  the  foe,  sue- 


THE   DREADFUL   BATTLE  OF  MOBILA. 


VI 


ceeded  in  withdrawing  through  the  gate  out  upon 
the  open  plain,  where  his  horsemen  could  operate  to 
better  advantage.  In  the  retreat  five  of  the  Span- 
iards were  killed  and  many  severely  wounded,  De 
Soto  being  one  of  the  number. 

The  Indians  came  rushing  out  upon  the  plain 
in  a  tumultuous  mass,  with  yells  of  defiance  and  vic- 
tory. But  the  dragoons  soon  regained  their  horses, 
which  had  been  tethered  outside  the  walls,  and 
whose  bodies  were  much  protected  from  the  ar- 
rows of  the  natives  ;  and  then,  in  a  terrific  charge, 
one  hundred  steel-clad  men,  cutting  to  the  right 
hand  and  to  the  left,  maddened  by  the  treachery  of 
which  they  had  been  the  victims,  plunged  into  the 
densest  masses  of  their  foes,  and  every  sabre-blow 
was  death  to  a  half-naked  Indian.  The  slaughter 
was  awful.  Brave  as  the  Indians  were,  they  were 
thrown  into  a  panic,  and  fled  precipitately  into  the 
town. 

In  the  retreat  from  the  town,  about  twenty  of  the 
Spaniards  had  been  cut  off  from  their  comrades,  and 
had  taken  refuge  in  the  house  assigned  to  the  Gov- 
ernor. Here  they  valiantly  defended  themselves 
against  fearful  odds.  The  bold  storming  of  the 
place  by  the  Spanish  troops  rescued  them  from  their 
perilous  position.     But  now  all  the  warriors  of  both 

parties  crowded  together  in  the  public  square,  fought 
12* 


274 


FERDINAND  DE   SOTO. 


hand  to  haftd  with  a  ferocity  which  could  not  be  sur- 
passed. Though  the  natives  were  far  more  numer- 
ous than  their  foes,  and  were  equally  brave  and 
strong,  still  the  Spaniards  had  a  vast  superiority 
over  them  in  their  bucklers,  their  impenetrable  ar- 
mor, and  their  long,  keen  sabres  of  steel. 

De  Soto,  conscious  that  the  very  existence  of 
his  army  depended  upon  the  issue  of  the  conflict,  was 
ever  in  the  thickest  of  the  battle,  notwithstanding 
the  severity  of  the  wound  from  which  he  was  suffer- 
ing. At  length,  to  drive  his  foes  from  the  protec- 
tion of  their  houses,  the  torch  was  applied  in  many 
places.  The  timber  of  which  they  were  built  was 
dry  almost  as  tinder.  Soon  the  whole  place  was  in 
flames,  the  fiery  billows  surging  to  and  fro  like  a 
furnace.  All  alike  fled  from  the  conflagration.  The 
horsemen  were  already  upon  the  plain,  and  they  cut 
down  the  fugitive  Indians  mercilessly. 

The  sun  was  then  sinking ;  Mobila  was  in  ruins, 
and  its  flaming  dwellings  formed  the  funeral  pyre  of 
thousands  of  the  dead.  The  battle  had  lasted  nine 
hours.  To  the  Spaniards  it  was  one  of  the  most 
terrible  calamities.  Eighty-two  of  their  number 
were  slain.  Nearly  all  the  rest  were  more  or  less 
severely  wounded.  Forty-five  horses  had  been  shot 
— an  irreparable  loss  which  all  the  army  deeply 
mourned. 


THE   DREADFUL   BATTLE   OF   MOBILA.  2/5 

In  entering  the  city,  they  had  piled  their  camp 
equipage  against  the  walls.  This  was  all  consumed, 
consisting  of  clothing,  armor,  medicines,  and  all  the 
pearls  whi.  h  they  had  collected.  The  disaster  to 
the  natives  was  still  more  dreadful.  It  is  estimated 
that  six  thousand  of  their  number  perished  by  the 
sword  or  the  flames.  The  fate  of  the  chieftain  is 
not  with  certainty  known.  It  is  generally  supposed 
that  he  was  slain  and  was  consumed  in  the  flames  of 
his  capital. 

The  situation  of  the  Spanish  army  that  night 
was  distressing  in  the  highest  degree.  They  were 
hungry,  exhausted,  dejected,  and  seventeen  hundred 
dangerous  wounds  demanded  immediate  attention. 
There  was  but  one  surgeon  of  the  expedition  who 
survived,  and  he  was  a  man  of  but  little  skill. 

De  Soto  forgot  himself  and  his  wound  in  devo- 
tion to  the  interests  of  his  men.  Foraging  parties 
were  sent  in  all  directions  to  obtain  food  for  the  suf- 
ferers, and  straw  for  bedding.  Here  the  army  was 
compelled  many  days  to  remain  to  recruit  from  the 
awful  disaster  with  which  it  had  been  so  suddenly 
overwhelmed. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 


Days  of  Darkness. 


The  Melancholy  Encampment. — The  Fleet  at  Pensacola. — Singular 
Resolve  of  De  Soto. — Hostility  of  the  Natives. — Beautiful  Sce- 
— nery. — Winter  Quarters  on  the  Yazoo. — Feigned  Friendship 
of  the  Cacique. — Trickery  of  Juan  Ortiz. — The  Terrible  Battle  of 
Chickasaw. — Dreadful  Loss  of  the  Spaniards. 

For  twenty-three  days  the  Spaniards  remained  in 
their  miserable  quarters,  nursing  the  sick  and  the 
wounded.  As  nearly  all  their  baggage  had  been 
consumed  in  the  flames,  they  were  in  a  condition  of 
extreme  destitution  and  suffering.  Parties,  of  those 
who  were  least  disabled,  were  sent  on  foraging  v-xpe- 
ditions,  penetrating  the  country  around  to  a  distance 
of  about  twelve  miles.  They  found  the  villages  de- 
serted by  the  terror-stricken  inhabitants.  But  they 
obtained  a  sufficient,  supply  of  food  to  meet  their 
immediate  wants.  In  the  thickets  and  ravines  they 
found  the  bodies  of  many  Indians,  who  had  died  of 
their  wounds,  and  had  been  left  unburied  by  their 
companions.  They  also  found  in  many  of  the  de- 
serted hamlets,  wounded  Indians,  who  could  go  no 
farther,   and  who  were  in  a  starving  and  dying  con- 


DAYS   OF  DARKNESS. 


277 


dition.  De  Soto  kindly  ordered  that  their  wounds 
should  be  dressed,  and  that  they  should  be  fed  and 
nursed  just  as  tenderly  as  his  own  men.  Several  cap- 
tives were  taken.  De  Soto  inquired  of  them  if 
another  attack  were  meditated.  They  replied  that 
all  their  warriors  were  slain  ;  that  none  were  left  to 
renew  the  battle ;  that  their  chief  had  sent  his  son 
to  watch  the  movements  of  the  Spaniards,  and  had 
summoned  his  warriors  from  a  great  distance  for 
their  extermination.  Nearly  all  were  to  be  slain. 
The  survivors  were  to  be  held  as  slaves.  All  their 
possessions  and  especially  the  magnificent  animals 
they  rode,  were  to  be  divided  as  the  spoils  of  the 
conqueror.  They  said  that  their  chief,  upon  the  ar- 
rival of  De  Soto  with  his  advance  guard,  was  hold- 
ing a  council  with  his  officers,  to  decide  whether 
they  should  immediately  attack  those  who  had  al- 
ready arrived,  or  wait  until  the  whole  army  was  with- 
in their  power.  The  passion  and  imprudence  of  one 
of  their  generals  had   precipitated  the  conflict. 

The  loss  of  the  natives  was  even  greater  than  De 
Soto  had  at  first  imagined.  The  thousands  of  In- 
dian warriors  who  were  within  the  spacious  houses, 
shooting  their  arrows  through  windows,  doors  and 
loopholes,  were  many  of  them  cut  off  from  all  es- 
cape, by  the  devouring  flames.    Bewildered,  blinded, 


78 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


stifled  by  the  smoke,  and  encircled  by  the  billowy 
fire,  they  miserably  perished. 

While  De  Soto  was  thus  encamped  around  the 
smouldering  ruins  of  Mobila,  he  heard  of  the  arrival 
of  his  fleet  at  Pensacola,  then  called  the  bay  of  Ach- 
usi.  As  he  was  but  about  one  hundred  miles  from 
that  point,  an  easy  march  of  a  few  days  would  bring 
him  to  reinforcements  and  abundant  supplies.  The 
tidings  of  their  arrival  at  first  gave  him  great  satis- 
faction. Hi.s  determined  spirit  was  still  unvanquish- 
ed.  He  immediately  resolved  to  establish  his  col- 
ony on  the  shores  of  Pensacola  Bay,  whence  he  could 
have  constant  water  communication  with  Cuba  and 
with  Spain.  Having  obtained  a  fresh  supply  of  mil- 
itary stores  and  recruits  from  the  ships,  he  would 
lecommcnce  his  pursuit  after  gold. 

Wh'Ie  one  cannot  but  condemn  his  persistence 
in  a  ruinous  course,  the  invincible  spirit  it  develops 
wins  admiration.  Indeed  if  we  accept  the  facts  of 
the  affair  at  Mobila,  as  above  described,  and  those 
facts  seem  to  be  fully  corroborated  by  a  careful  ex- 
amination of  all  the  reliable  annalists  of  those  days, 
impartial  history  cannot  severely  condemn  De  Soto 
in  that  dreadful  occurrence.  But  it  cannot  be  denied 
that  he  would  have  acted  much  more  wisely,  had  he 
followed  the  counsel  of  Isabella,  previously  given, 


DAYS   OF  DARKNESS. 


279 


and  withdrawn  from  scenes    thus  fraught  with  vio- 
lence, cruelty  and  blood.  ,  , 

As  De  Soto  was  conversing  with  some  of  his  of- 
ficers, of  his  plan  of  still  prosecuting  his  jcuvney  in 
search  of  gold,  he  was  told,  not  a  little  to  h's  dismay, 
that  his  soldiers  would  not  follow  him  It  was  said 
that  t'v"  •  were  all  thoroughly  disheartened,  rndanx- 
i'^us  to  return  to  their  homes,  and  that  immediately 
upon  reaching  their  ships,  they  would  insist  upon  re- 
embarking,  and  abandoning  a  land  where  they  had 
thus  far  encountered  only  disasters. 

The  thought  of  returning  to  Cuba  an  impoverish- 
ed man,  having  utterly  failed  in  his  expedition,  sur- 
rounded by  ragged  and  clamorous  followers,  and  thus 
in  disgrace,  was  to  De  Soto  dreadful.  Not  making 
sufficient  allowance  for  the  difference  in  those  re- 
spects between  himself  and  his  followers,  he  found 
it  difficult  to  credit  the  representations  which  had 
been  made  to  him.  He  therefore  dressed  himself  in 
a  disguise,  and  secretly  wandered  about  by  night 
among  the  frail  huts  of  the  soldiers,  and  soon  found, 
by  listening  to  their  conversation,  his  worst  fears  con- 
firmed. It  became  clear  to  his  mind  that  immedi- 
ately on  his  return  to  the  ships,  his  present  followers 
would  disband  and  shift  for  themselves,  while  it 
would  be  in  vain  for  him  to  attempt  to  raise  another 
army. 


28o 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


Speaking  of  the  distress  with  which  these  consid- 
erations oppressed  the  mind  of  De  Soto,  Mr.  Irving 
well  says,  referring  in  confirmation  of  his  statement, 
both  to  the  account  given  by  the  Portuguese  Narra- 
tive, and  that  by  the  Inca  : 

"  Should  his  present  forces  desert  him,  therefore, 
he  would  remain  stripped  of  dignity  and  command, 
blasted  in  reputation,  his  fortune  expended  in  vain, 
and  his  enterprise,  which  had  caused  so  much  toil 
and  trouble,  a  subject  of  scoffing  rather  than  renown. 
The  Governor  was  a  man  extremely  jealous  of  his 
honor ;  and  as  he  reflected  upon  these  gloomy  pros- 
pects, they  produced  sudden  and  desperate  resolves. 
He  disguised  his  anger  and  his  knowledge  of  the 
schemes  he  had  overheard,  but  he  determined  to  frus- 
trate them  by  turning  back  upon  the  coast,  striking 
again  into  the  interior,  and  never  seeking  the  ships 
nor  furnishing  any  tidings  of  himself,  until  he  had 
crowned  his  enterprise  gloriously  by  discovering  new 
regions  of  wealth  like  those  of  Peru  and  Mexico. 

"  A  change  came  over  De  Soto  from  this  day.  He 
was  disconcerted  in  his  favorite  scheme  of  coloniza- 
tion, and  had  lost  confidence  in  his  followers.  In- 
stead of  manifesting  his  usual  frankness,  energy  and 
alacrity,  he  became  a  moody,  irritable,  discontented 
man.  He  no  longer  pretended  to  strike  out  any  grand 
undertaking,  went  recklessly  wandering  from  place  to 


DAYS   OF   DARKNESS. 


28l 


place,  apparently  without  order  or  object,  as  if  care- 
less of  time  and  life,  and  only  anxious  to  finish  his 
existence." 

On  the  morning  of  the  15th  of  November,  1540, 
the  troops,  much  to  their  consternation,  received  or- 
ders to  commence  their  march  to  the  north,  instead 
of  to  the  south.  The  established  habits  of  military 
discipline,  and  the  stern  manner  of  De  Soto,  repelled 
all  audible  murmurs.  Each  soldier  took  with  him 
two  days'  provision,  which  consisted  mainly  of  roasted 
corn  pounded  into  meal.  It  was  not  doubted  that  in 
the  fertile  region  of  that  sunny  clime  they  would 
find  food  by  the  way.  But  winter  was  approaching 
which,  though  short,  would  certainly  bring  with  it 
some  days  and  nights  of  such  severe  cold  that  an 
unsheltered  army  would  almost  perish. 

After  traversing  a  very  pleasant  country  for  five 
days,  without  meeting  any  adventure  of  any  espe- 
cial interest,  they  came  to  a  river  wide  and  deep,  with 
precipitous  banks,  which  is  supposed  to  have  been 
the  Tascaloosa,  or  Black  Warrior.  The  point  at 
which  they  touched  this  stream,  upon  whose  banks 
they  had  already  encamped,  was  probably  near  the 
present  site  of  Erie,  in  Greene  County.  Here  they 
found  upon  the  farther  banks  of  the  river,  a  popu- 
lous village  called  Cabusto.  De  Soto  as  usual  sent  a 
courier  with  a  friendly  message  to  the  chief,  saying 


y 


282 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


"  that  he  came  in  friendship  and  sought  only  an  un- 
obstructed path  through  his  realms." 

The  chief  returned  the  defiant  reply — 

"  We  want  no  peace  with  you.  War  only  we 
want ;  a  war  of  fire  and  blood.'' 

As  De  Soto,  troubled  by  this  message,  moved 
cautiously  forward,  he  found  an  army  of  fifteen  hun- 
dred natives  drawn  up  on  the  banks  of  the  stream  to 
prevent  the  passage ;  while  the  opposite  banks  were 
occupied  by  between  six  and  seven  thousand  warri- 
ors, extending  up  and  down  the  river  for  a  distance 
of  six  miles.  There  was  nothing  for  the  Spaniards 
to  do  but  to  press  forward.  To  turn  back,  in  sight 
of  their  foes,  was  not  to  be  thought  of.  After  a 
pretty  sharp  skirmish,  in  which  the  Spaniards  at- 
tacked their  opponents,  the  natives  sprang  into  their 
canoes,  and  some  by  swimming  crossed  the  river  and 
joined  the  main  body  of  the  Indians  upon  the  oppo- 
site bank. 

Here  they  were  obviously  prepared,  to  make  a 
desperate  resistance.  Night  came  on,  dark  and  chill. 
The  Spaniards  bivouacked  on  the  open  plain,  await- 
ing the  morning,  when,  with  but  about  seven  hun- 
dred men,  they  were  to  assail  eight  thousand  warri- 
ors, very  strongly  posted  on  bluffs,  with  a  deep  and 
rapid  river  flowing  at  their  feet.  The  Indians  gave 
the  Spaniards  no  repose.     During  the  darkness  they 


DAYS  OF  DARKNESS. 


283 


were  continually  passmg  the  river  at  different  points 
in  their  canoes,  and  then  uniting  in  one  band,  with 
hideous  outcries  assailing  the  weary  travellers.  The 
military  genius  of  De  Soto  successfully  beat  them 
off"  through  the  night.  He  then  intrenched  himself 
so  as  to  bid  defiance  to  their  attacks,  and  employed 
one  hundred  of  his  mo3t  skilful  workmen  in  build- 
ing, under  the  concealment  of  a  neighboring  grove, 
two  very  large  flat  boats. 

Twelve  days  passed  before  these  barges  were  fin- 
ished. By  the  aid  of  men  and  horses,  they  were 
brought  to  the  river  and  launched.  In  the  morning, 
before  the  dawn,  ten  mounted  horsemen  and  forty 
footmen  embarked  in  each  boat,  the  footmen  to  ply 
the  oars  as  vigorously  as  possible  in  the  rapid  pas- 
sage of  the  river  to  a  designated  spot,  where  the 
horsemen  were  immediately  to  spur  their  steeds  up- 
on the  shore,  and  with  their  sabres  open  a  passage 
for  the  rest  of  the  troops.  De  Soto  was  anxious  to 
pass  in  the  first  boat,  but  his  followers  entreated  him 
not  to  expose  his  life,  upon  v-nich  everything  de- 
pended, to  so  great  a  peril. 

The  moment  the  boats  were  dimly  seen  by  the 
watchful  natives,  a  signal  war-whoop  rang  along  the 
bank  for  miles.  Five  hundred  warriors  rushed  to  the 
menaced  spot,  to  prevent  the  landing.  Such  a 
shower  of  arrows  was  thrown  upon  the  boat  that 


284 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


every  man  was  more  or  less  wounded.  The  mo- 
ment the  bows  touched  the  beach,  the  steel-clad 
horsemen  plunged  upon  the  foe,  and  cut  their  way- 
through  them  with  blood-dripping  sabres.  Other 
native  warriors  were  however  hurrying  to  the  assist- 

nce  of  their  comrades.  In  the  meantime  the 
boats  had  with  great  rapidity  recrossed  the  river,  and 
brought  over  another  detachment  of  eighty  men  with 
De  Soto  himself  at  their  head.  After  a  sanguinary 
conflict  the  Spaniards  obtained  complete  possession 
of  the  landing  place.  Though  unimportant  skir- 
mishes were  kept  up  through  the  day,  the  remaining 
troops  were  without  difficulty  brought  across  the 
river.  At  nightfall  not  an  Indian  was  to  be  seen. 
They  had  all  withdrawn  and  fortified  themselves 
with  palisades  in  a  neighboring  swamp. 

The  Spaniards  found  opening  before  them  a 
beautiful  and  fertile  country,  well  cultivated,  with 
fields  of  corn  and  beans,  and  with  many  small  vil- 
lages and  comfortable  farm-houses  scattered  around. 
They  broke  up  their  boats  for  the  sake  of  the  nails, 
which  might  prove  of  priceless  value  to  them  in 
their  future  operations.  Leaving  the  Indians  unmo- 
lested in  their  fortress,  they  journeyed  on  five  days 
in  a  westerly  direction,  when  they  reached  the 
banks  of  another  large  river,  which  is  supposed  to 

have  been  the  Tombigbee. 


DAYS   OF   DARKNESS. 


285 


Here  De  Soto  found  hostile  Indians  arrayed  on 
the  opposite  bank,  ready  to  oppose  his  passage. 
Anxious  to  avoid,  if  possible,  any  sanguinary  collis- 
ion with  the  natives,  he  tarried  for  two  days,  until  a 
canoe  had  been  constructed  by  which  he  could  send 
a  friendly  message  across  to  the  chief.  A  single  un- 
armed Indian  was  dispatched  in  the  canoe  with  these 
words  of  peace.  He  paddled  across  the  river,  and 
as  soon  as  the  canoe  touched  the  shore  the  savages 
rushed  upon  him,  beat  out  his  brains  with  their  war- 
clubs,  and  raising  yells  of  defiance,  mysteriously  dis- 
appeared. 

There  being  no  longer  any  foe  to  oppose  the 
passage,  the  troops  were  easily  conveyed  across  on 
rafts.  Unassailed,  they  marched  tranquilly  on  for 
several  days,  until,  on  the  i8th  of  December,  they 
reached  a  small  village  called  Chickasaw.  It  was 
^leasantly  situated  on  a  gentle  eminence,  embel- 
lished with  groves  of  walnut  and  oak  trees,  and  with 
streams  of  pure  water  running  on  cither  side.  It  is 
supposed  that  this  village  was  on  the  Yazoo  river,  in 
the  upper  part  of  the  State  of  Mississippi,  about  two 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  northwest  of  Mobile. 

It  was  midwinter,  and  upon  those  high  lands  the 
weather  was  intensely  cold.  The  ground  was  fre- 
quently encumbered  with  snow  and  ice,  and  the 
troops,  unprovided   with   winter   clothing,    suffered 


286 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


severely.  De  Soto  decided  to  take  up  his  winter 
quarters  at  Chickasaw,  there  to  await  the  returning 
sun  of  spring.  There  appears  to  have  been  some- 
thing senseless  in  the  wild  wanderings  in  which  De 
Soto  was  now  persisting,  which  have  led  some  to 
suppose  that  care,  exhaustion,  and  sorrow  had 
brought  on  some  degree  of  mental  derangement. 
However  that  may  be,  he  devoted  himself  with 
great  energy  to  the  promotion  of  the  comfort  of  his 
men.  Foraging  parties  were  dispatched  in  all  direc- 
tions in  search  of  food  and  of  straw  for  bedding, 
while  an  ample  supply  of  fuel  was  collected  for  their 
winter  fires. 

There  were  two  hundred  comfortable  houses  in 
this  village,  and  De  Soto  added  a  few  more,  so  that 
all  of  his  men  were  well  sheltered.  So  far  as  we  can 
judge  from  the  narratives  given,  the  native  inhabit- 
ants, through  fear  of  the  Spaniards,  had  abandoned 
their  homes  and  fled  to  distant  parts.  De  Soto  did 
everything  in  his  power  to  open  friendly  relations 
with  the  Indians.  He  succeeded,  through  his  scouts, 
in  capturing  a  few,  whom  he  sent  to  their  chief  laden 
with  presents,  and  with  assurances  of  peace  and 
friendship. 

The  Cacique  returned  favorable  replies,  and  sent 
to  De  Soto  in  return  fruit,  fish,  and  venison.  He, 
however,  was  very  careful  not  to  expose  his  person  to 


DAYS   OF   DARKiVESS. 


287 


the  power  of  the  Spaniards.  His  warriors,  in  gradu- 
ally increasing  numbers,  ventured  to  enter  the  vil- 
lage, where  they  were  treated  by  De  Soto  with  the 
greatest  consideration.  He  had  still  quite  a  large 
number  of  swine  with  him,  for  they  had  multiplied 
wonderfully  on  the  way.  The  Indians,  having  had  a 
taste  of  pork,  found  it  so  delicious  that  they  began 
to  prowl  around  the  encampment  by  night  to  steal 
these  animals.  It  is  said  that  two  Indians  who  were 
caught  in  the  act  were  shot,  and  as  this  did  not 
check  the  thievery,  a  third  had  both  his  hands 
chopped  off  with  a  hatchet,  and  thus  mutilated  was 
sent  to  the  chief  as  a  warning  to  others. 

It  is  with  great  reluctance  that  we  give  any  cre- 
dence to  this  statement.  It  certainly  is  not  sus- 
tained by  any  evidence  which  would  secure  convic- 
tion in  a  court  of  justice.  It  is  quite  contrary  to  the 
well-established  humanity  of  De  Soto.  There  can 
be  no  possible  excuse  for  such  an  act  of  barbarity  on 
the  part  of  any  civilized  man.  If  De  Soto  were 
guilty  of  the  atrocity,  it  would,  indeed,  indicate  that 
his  reason  was  being  dethroned. 

The  chief  had  taken  up  his  residence  about  three 
or  four  miles  from  the  village.  Four  of  the  Spanish 
soldiers  one  night,  well  armed,  stole  from  their  bar- 
racks, in  direct  violation  of  orders,  and  repairing  to 
the  dwelling  of  the  Cacique,  robbed  him  of  some  rich 


288 


FERDINAND  DE   SOTO. 


fur  mantles,  and  other  valuable  articles  of  clothing. 
With  that  even-handed  justice  which  has  thus  far 
characterized  De  Soto,  he  who  had  ordered  two  In- 
dians to  be  shot  for  stealing  his  swine,  now  ordered 
the  two  ringleaders  in  this  robbery  of  the  Indian 
chief  to  be  put  to  death. 

The  priests  in  the  army,  and  most  of  the  officers, 
earnestly  implored  De  Soto  to  pardon  the  culprits. 
But  he  was  inflexible.  He  would  administer  equal 
justice  to  the  Indian  and  the  Spaniard.  The  cul- 
prits were  led  into  the  public  square  to  be  beheaded. 
It  so  happened  that,  just  at  that  time,  an  embas- 
sage arrived  from  the  Cacique  with  complaints  of  the 
robbery,  and  demanding  the  punishment  of  the 
offenders.  Juan  Ortiz,  the  interpreter,  whose  sym- 
pathies were  deeply  moved  in  behalf  of  his  com- 
rades about  to  be  executed,  adopted  the  following 
singular  and  sagacious  expedient  to  save  them  : 

He  falsely  reported  to  the  Governor  that  the 
chief  had  sent  his  messengers  to  implore  the  for- 
giveness of  the  culprits — to  say  that  their  offence 
was  a  very  slight  one,  and  that  he  should  regard  it 
as  a  personal  favor  if  they  were  pardoned  and  set  at 
liberty.  The  kind-hearted  De  Soto,  thus  delivered 
from  his  embarrassment,  gladly  released  them. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  tricky  interpreter  sent 
word  to  the  Cacique  that  the  men  who  had  robbed 


DAYS  OF  DARKNESS. 


239 


him  were  in  close  imprisonment,  and  that  they  would 
be  punished  with  the  utmost  severity,  so  as  to  serve 
as  a  warning  to  all  others. 

Many  circumstances  led  De  Soto  to  the  suspi- 
cion that  the  chief  was  acting  a  treacherous  part ; 
that  he  was  marshalling  an  immense  army  in  the 
vicinity  to  attack  the  Spaniards ;  that  his  pretended 
friendliness  was  intended  merely  to  disarm  suspicion, 
and  that  the  warriors  who  visited  the  village  were 
spies,  making  preparation  for  a  general  assault.  In 
this  judgment  subsequent  events  proved  him  to  be 
correct. 

Early  in  the  month  of  March  there  was  a  dark  and 
stormy  night,  and  a  chill  north  wind  swept  the  bleak 
plains.  The  sentinels  were  driven  to  seek  shelter ; 
no  one  dreamed  of  peril.  It  was  the  hour  for  the 
grand  assault.  Just  at  midnight  the  Cacique  put 
his  martial  bands  in  motion.  They  were  in  three 
powerful  divisions,  the  central  party  being  led  by  the 
chief  in  person.  These  moccasoned  warriors,  with 
noiseless  tread,  stealthily  approached  their  victims. 
Suddenly  the  air  resounded  with  war-whoops,  blasts 
of  conch  shells,  and  the  clangor  of  wooden  drums, 
rising  above  the  roar  of  the  storm,  when  the  sav- 
ages, like  spirits  of  darkness,  rushed  upon  the  de- 
fenceless village.      They   bore   with   them    lighted 

matches,  made  of  some  combustible  substance  twist- 
13 


290 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


ed  in  the  form  of  a  cord,  which,  being  waved  in  the 
air,  would  blaze  into  flame.  The  village  was  built  of 
reeds,  with  thatch  of  dried  grass.  The  torch  was 
everywhere  applied  ;  the  gale  fanned  the  fire.  In  a 
few  minutes  the  whole  village  was  a  roaring  furnace 
of  flame. 

What  pen  can  describe  the  scene  which  ensued 
of  tumult,  terror,  blood,  and  woe !  What  imagina- 
tion can  conceive  of  the  horrors  of  that  night,  when 
uncounted  thousands  of  savages,  fierce  as  demons, 
rushed  upon  the  steel-clad  veterans  of  Spain,  not 
one  of  whom  would  ask  for  quarter !  every  one  of 
whom  would  fight  with  sinewy  arm  and  glittering 
sabre  to  the  last  possible  gasp. 

Nothing  could  throw  the  veteran  Spaniards  into 
a  panic.  They  always  slept  prepared  for  surprise. 
In  an  instant  every  man  was  at  his  post.  De  Soto, 
who  always  slept  in  hose  and  doublet,  drew  his 
armor  around  him,  mounted  his  steed  ever  ready, 
and  was  one  of  the  first  to  dash  into  the  densest  of 
the  foe.  Twelve  armored  horsemen  were  immedi- 
ately at  his  side.  The  arrows  and  javelins  of  the 
natives  glanced  harmless  from  helmet  and  cuirass, 
while  every  flash  of  the  long,  keen  sabres  was  death 
to  an  Indian,  and  the  proud  war-horses  trampled  the 
corpses  beneath  their  feet. 

The  fierce  conflagration  soon  drove  all  alike  out 


DAYS  OF  DARKNESS. 


291 


into  the  plain.  Many  of  the  Spaniards  could  not 
escape,  but  perished  miserably  in  the  fire.  Several 
of  the  splendid  horses  were  also  burned.  Soon  all 
were  engaged  hand  to  hand,  fighting  in  a  tumultu- 
ous mass  by  the  light  of  the  conflagration.  There 
was,  perhaps,  alike  bravery  on  either  side.  But  the 
natives  knew  that  if  defeated  they  could  flee  to  the 
forests  ;  while  to  the  Spaniards  defeat  was  certain 
death,  or  captivity  worse  than  death  to  every  one. 

De  Soto  observed  not  far  from  him  an  Indian 
chief  of  herculean  strength,  who  was  fighting  with 
great  success.  He  closed  in  upon  him,  and  as  he  rose 
in  his  saddle,  leaning  mainly  upon  the  right  stirrup, 
to  pierce  him  with  his  lance,  the  saddle,  which  in 
the  haste  had  not  been  sufficiently  girded,  turned 
beneath  him,  and  he  was  thrown  upon  the  ground  in 
the  midst  of  the  enemy.  His  companions  sprang  to 
the  rescue.  Instantly  he  remounted,  and  was  again 
in  the  thickest  of  the  foe.  The  battle  was  fierce, 
bloody,  and  short.  So  many  of  the  horsemen  had 
perished  during  their  long  journey  that  many  of  the 
foot  soldiers  were  protected  by  armor.  At  length 
the  savages  were  put  to  flight.  Pursued  by  the 
swift-footed  horses,  they,  in  their  terror,  to  add 
speed  to  their  footsteps,  threw  away  their  weapons, 
and  thus  fell  an  easy  prey  to  the  conqueror. 

The  Spaniards,  justly  exasperated  in  being  thus 


292 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


treacherously  assailed  by  those  who  had  assumed 
the  guise  of  friendship,  pursued  the  fugitive  so  long 
as  they  could  be  distinguished  by  the  light  of  the 
conflagration,  and  cut  them  down  without  any  mercy. 
A  btiglc-blast  then  sounded  the  recall.  The  victors 
returned  to  an  awful  scene  of  desolation  and  misery. 
Their  homes  were  all  in  ashes,  and  many  of  the  few 
comforts  they  had  retained  were  consumed.  Forty 
Spaniards  had  been  slain,  besides  many  more 
wounded.  Fifty  horses  had  perished  in  the  flames, 
or  had  been  shot  by  the  natives.  Their  herd  of 
swine,  which  they  prized  so  highly,  and  which  they 
regarded  as  an  essential  element  in  the  establish- 
ment of  their  colony,  had  been  shut  up  in  an  enclo- 
sure roofed  with  straw,  and  nearly  every  one  had 
perished  in  the  flames. 

This  disaster  was  the  most  severe  calamity  which 
had  befallen  them.  Since  landing  at  Tampa  Bay, 
over  three  hundred  men  had  fallen  from  the  attacks 
of  the  natives.  De  Soto  was  thrown  into  a  state  of 
the  deepest  despondency.  All  hope  seemed  to  be 
extinguished.  World-weary,  and  in  despair,  he  ap- 
parently wished  only  to  die.  Distress  was  all  around 
him,  with  no  possibility  of  his  affording  any  relief. 
Sadly  he  buried  the  dead  of  his  own  army,  while  he 
left  the  bodies  of  the  natives  thick  upon  the  plain,  a 
prey  for  wolves  and  vultures.      The   smouldering 


DAYS  OF  DARKNESS. 


293 


ruins  of  Chickasaw  were  abandoned,  and  an  encamp- 
ment was  reared  of  logs  and  bark  at  a  distance  of 
about  tiiree  miles  ;  where  they  passed  a  few  weeks  of 
great  wretchedness.  Bodily  discomfort  and  mental 
despondency  united  in  creating  almost  intolerable 
gloom.  • 

Terribly  as  the  natives  had  been  punished  they 
soon  learned  <-he  extent  of  the  calamity  they  had  in- 
flicted upon  the  Spaniards.  Through  their  spies 
Ih  y  ascertained  their  diminished  numbers,  witness- 
ed their  miserable  plight,  and  had  the  sagacity  to 
perceive  that  they  were  very  poorly  prepared  to 
withstand  another  attack.  Thus  they  gradually  re- 
gained confidence,  marshalled  their  ar.  lies  anew,  and 
commenced  an  incessant  series  of  assaults,  avoiding 
any  general  action,  and  yet  wearing. out  the  Span- 
iards with  the  expectation  of  such  action  every  hour 
of  every  night. 

In  the  daytime,  De  Soto  sent  out  his  horsemen 
to  scour  the  country  around  in  all  directions  for  a 
distance  often  or  twelve  miles.  They  would  return 
with  the  declaration  that  not  a  warrior  was  to  be 
found.  But  before  midnight  the  fleet  footed  savages 
would  be  swarming  around  the  encampment,  with 
hideous  yells,  often  approaching  near  enough  to 
throw  in  upon  it  a  shower  of  arrows.  Occasionally 
these  skirmishes  became  hotly  contested.     In   one 


294 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


of  them  forty  Indians  were  slain,  while  two  of  the 
horses  of  the  Spaniards  were  killed  and  two  severely- 
wounded. 

In  their  thin  clothing  the  Spaniards  would  have 
suffered  terribly  from  the  severe  cold  of  the  nights, 
but  for  the  ingenuity  of  one  of  their  number,  who 
invented  a  soft,  thick,  warm  matting  or  coverlet 
which  he  wove  from  some  long  grass  that  abounded 
in  the  vicinity.  Every  soldier  was  speedily  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  these  beds  or  blankets.  They 
were  made  several  inches  in  thickness  and  about  six 
feet  square.  One  half  served  as  a  mattress,  and  the 
other  folded  over,  became  a  blanket.  Thus  they 
were  relieved  from  the  cold,  which  otherwise  would 
have  been  almost  unendurable. 

The  foraging  parties  succeeded  in  obtaining  a 
supply  of  corn,  beans,  and  dried  fruit.  Here  De 
Soto  was  compelled  to  remain,  to  heal  his  wounded, 
for  the  remainder  of  the  month  of  March.  He  was 
very  anxious  to  escape  from  the  hostile  region  as 
soon  as  possible.  As  an  illustration  of  the  scenes 
which  were  occurring  almost  ever}'  night  during  this 
sad  encampment,  we  may  mention  the  following. 

The  night  was  cold  and  dark.  The  defiant  war- 
cries  of  the  savages  were  heard  in  all  directions  and 
no  one  could  tell  how  great  their  numbers,  or  upon 
what  point  their  attack  would  fall.     Several  camp- 


DAYS   OF  DARKNESS. 


295 


fires  were  built,  around  which  horsemen  were  assem- 
bled ready  to  meet  the  foe  from  whatever  point,  in 
the  darkness,  he  might  approach.  Juan  De  Gusman 
was  the  leader  of  one  of  t'lese  bands.  He  was  a 
cavalier  of  high  renown.  In  figure,  he  was  delicate, 
almost  feminine,  but  he  had  the  soul  of  a  Hon. 

By  the  light  of  the  blazing  fagots,  he  discerned  a 
numerous  band  of  Indians  stealthily  approaching. 
Leaping  upon  his  horse,  and  followed  by  five  com- 
panions, and  a  few  armored  "footmen,  he  plunged  in- 
to the  midst  of  them.  He  aimed  his  javelin,  at  ap- 
parently the  leader  of  the  savages,  a  man  of  gigantic 
stature.  The  Indian  wrenched  the  lance  from  his 
hand,  sei^-ed  him  by  the  collar,  and  hurled  him  from 
his  saddle  to  the  ground.  Instantly  the  soldiers 
rushed  in,  with  their  sabers,  cut  the  savage  to  pieces 
and  after  a  short  conflict  in  which  a  large  number  of 
the  natives  were  slain,  put  the  rest  to  flight. 

It  may  seem  strange  that  so  few  of  the  Spaniards 
were  killed  in  these  terrible  conflicts,  in  which  they 
often  cut  down  hundreds  and  even  thousands  of 
their  foes.  But  it  should  be  remembered  that  their 
coats  of  mail  quite  effectually  protected  them  from 
the  flint  pointed  arrows  of  the  Indians.  The  only 
vulnerable  point  was  the  face,  and  even  this  was 
sometimes  shielded  by  the  visor.  But  the  bodies  of 
the  natives,  thinly  clad,  were  easily  cut  down  by  the 
steel  blades  of  the  cavaliers.    ' 


CHAPTER   XVII. 


The  Discovery  of  the  Mississippi^ 


The  Fortress  of  Hostile  Indians. — Its  Capture. — The  Disastrous  Con- 
flict.— The  Advance  of  the  Army. — Discovery  of  the  Mississippi 
River. — Preparations  for  Crossing. — Extraordinary  Pageants. — 
Unjustifiable  Attack. — Th»»passage  of  the  River. — Friendly  Re- 
ception by   Casquin. — Extraordinary  Religious  Festival. 

On  the  first  day  of  April,  1541,  the  army  broke 
up  its  encampment,  and  again  set  out  languidly  on 
its  journey  to  the  westwa.d.  No  sounds  of  joy  were 
heard,  for  there  was  uo  longer  hope  to  cheer.  The 
indomitable  energy  of  De  Soto  dragged  along  the  re- 
luctant footsteps  of  his  troops.  The  first  day  they 
travelled  about  twelve  miles,  through  a  level  and  fer- 
tile country  with  many  villages  and  farm  houses  to 
charm  the  eye.  At  night  they  encamped  beyond 
the  territory  of  Chickasaw,  and  consequently  suppos- 
ed that  they  would  no  longer  be  molested,  by  those 
hostile  Indians. 

A  well  armed  party  of  cavalry  and  infantry  was 
sent  out  on  a  foraging  expedition.  They  accidcntly 
approached  a  strong  fortress  where  a  large  number 
of  Indian  warriors  was  assembled,  prepared  to  resist 


THE   DISCOVERY   OF   THE   MISSISSIPri. 


297 


their  march.  They  were  very  fantastically  clothed, 
and  painted  in  the  highest  style  of  barbaric  art,  so  as 
to  render  them  ?.s  hideous  as  possible.  Immediately 
upon  catching  sight  of  the  Spaniards  they  rushed  out 
upon  them  with  ferocious  cries.  Afiasco,  who  was 
in  command  of  the  Spanish  party,  seeing  such  over- 
whelming numbers  coming  upon  him,  retreated  to  an 
open  field,  where  he  drew  up  his  horses  and  placed 
his  crossbow  men  in  front  with  their  bucklers,  to 
protect  the  precious  animals.  At  the  same  time  he 
sent  hastily  back  to  De  Soto  for  reinforcements. 

The  Indians  came  rushing  on,  clashing  their  weap- 
ons, beating  wooden  drums  and  raising  the  warwhoop, 
till  they  arrived  within  reach  of  the  arrows  of  the 
crossbow  men.  Then,  somewhat  appalled  by  the 
formidable  military  array  of  the  Spaniards  glittering 
in  steel  armor,  they  stopped  and  taunted  their  foes 
from  the  distance,  with  cries  of  defiance  and  gestures 
of  insolence  and  insult. 

The  hot-headed  Aiiasco  found  it  hard  to  restrain 
his  impatience.  Soon  De  Soto  himself  came,  with  all 
his  force,  '^xcept  a  few  left  to  guard  the  camp.  Care- 
fully he  scrutinized  the  fortress  where  these  savages 
had  gathered  their  strength  to  crush  him.  It  was  in- 
deed a  formidable  structure  :  consisting  of  a  quadran- 
gle twelve  hundred  feet  square.     There  were  three 

entrance  gates,  purposely  so  low  that  mounted  men 
13» 


n 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


could  not  enter.  In  the  rear  of  the  fortress  there 
was  a  deep  and  rapid  river  with  steep  banks,  proba- 
bly the  Yazoo  ;  in  the  county  of  Tallahatchee.  The 
fort  was  called  the  Alabama.  Across  this  stream,  frail 
bridges  were  constructed,  over  which  the  Indians,  in 
case  of  necessity,  could  retreat,  and  easily  destroy  the 
bridges  behind  them.  Directly  in  the  rear  of  the  front 
entrance,  there  was  a  second  wall,  and  in  the  rear  of 
that  a  third ;  so  that  if  the  outer  wall  were  gained, 
the  garrison  could  retreat  behind  one  and  the  other. 

De  Soto  very  carefully  reconnoitred  the  fort.  He 
judged  that  the  slightest  appearance  of  timidity,  on 
his  part,  would  so  embolden  the  savages  as  to  expose 
him  to  great  peril.  Should  he  avoid  the  conflict,  to 
which  he  was  challenged,  and  endeavor  to  escape, 
by  fleeing  before  his  enemies,  he  would  draw  them 
down  upon  him  with  resistless  fury.  Thus  again  he 
found  himself  impelled  to  rouse  all  the  energies  of 
his  army  for  the  slaughter  of  the  poor  savages. 

He  formed  his  attacking  force  in  three  columns, 
to  seize  the  three  entrances.  The  Indians,  carefully 
noting  these  preparations,  made  a  simultaneous  rush 
upon  the  Spaniards,  pouring  in  upon  them  an  inces- 
sant volley  of  flint-pointed  arrows.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  armor,  many  of  the  Spaniards  were  wounded, 
the  savages  taking  careful  aim  at  those  parts  which 
were  least  protected.     The  three  storming  columns 


frtiHt 


THE   DISCOVERY   OF   THE    MISSISSIJ'l'I. 


299 


pressed  vigorously  on,  while  two  bands  of  horsemen, 
twenty  in  each,  De  Soto  leading;  one  of  them,  at- 
tacked the  tumultuous  foe  on  each  flank.  The  as- 
sault was  resistless.  The  panic-stricken  savages  fled 
to  the  fortress.  The  entrances  were  clogged  by  the 
crowd,  and  horsemen  and  footmen,  with  their  long 
sharp  sabres  cut  down  their  foes  with  enormous 
slaughter. 

In  the  heat  of  the  conflict  an  arrow,  thrown  by 
the  sinewy  arm  of  an  Indian,  struck  the  steel  casque 
of  De  Soto  with  such  force  that  it  rebounded  some 
sixteen  feet  in  the  air.  The  blow  was  so  severe  that 
it  almost  unhorsed  the  Governor,  and  seemingly 
cau-sed,  as  he  afterwards  said,  the  fire  to  flash  from 
his  eyes.  As  the  savages  rushed  pell-mell  into  the 
fortress,  their  pursuers  were  at  their  heels,  cutting 
them  down.  The  Spaniards  were  exasperated. 
They  had  sought  peace,  and  had  found  only  war.  De 
Soto  had  wished,  in  a  friendly  spirit,  to  traverse  their 
country,  and  they  were  hedging  up  his  way  and  pur- 
suing him  with  relentless  ferocity.  He  assumed  that 
it  was  necessary,  for  the  salvation  of  his  army,  to 
teach  them  a  lesson  which  they  would  not  soon  for- 
get. • 

The   carnage   within   the   fortress  was  dreadful. 

All   was  inextricable  confusion.      It  was  a  hand-to- 

'  hand  fight.    Wooden  swords  fell  harmless  upon  hcl- 


30O 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


met,  cuirass  and  buckler.  But  the  keen  and  polish- 
ed steel  of  the  Spaniards  did  fearful  execution  upon 
the  almost  naked  bodies  of  the  Indians.  Some 
climbed  the  palisades  and  leaped  down  into  the 
plain,  where  they  were  instantly  slain  by  the  mount- 
ed troops.  Others  crowded  through  the  fort  and 
endeavored  to  escape  by  the  narrow  briuj/es.  Many 
were  jostled  off,  and  in  the  swift  current  were  drown- 
ed. But  a  few  moments  elapsed  ere  the  fort  was  in 
the  hands  of  the  Spaniards.  Its  floor  was  covered 
by  the  gory  bodies  of  the  slain.  Still,  not  a  few  had 
escaped,  some  by  swimming,  sonr  j  by  the  bridges. 
They  immediately  formed  in  battle  array  upon  the 
opposite  bank  of  the  river,  where  they  supposed  they 
were  beyond  the  reach  of  the  Spaniards. 

Again  they  raised  shouts  of  defiance  and  insult. 
De  Soto  was  not  in  a  mood  to  endure  these  taunts. 
Just  above  the  fort  he  found  a  ford.  Crossing  with 
a  squadron  of  horsemen,  they  rushed  with  gleaming 
sabres  upon  the  savages,  and  put  them  instantly  to 
flight.  For  more  than  three  rriiles  they  pursued  them 
over  the  plain,  till  wearied  with  slaughter.  They 
then  returned,  victors,  slowly  and  sadly  to  their  en- 
campment. Peace  and  friendship  would  have  been 
far  preferable  to  this  war  and  misery.  Even  their 
victory  was  to  the  Spaniards  a  great  disaster,  for  sev- 
eral  of  the    men   were    slain,   and    many    severely 


THE  DISCOVERY  OF  THE   MISSISSIPPI. 


301 


wounded.  Of  the  latter,  fifteen  subsequently  died. 
De  Soto  remained  four  days  in  the  encampment, 
nursing  the  wounded,  and  then  resumed  his  weary 
march. 

He  still  directed  his  footsteps  in  a  westerly  di- 
rection, carefully  avoiding  an  approach  to  the  sea, 
lest  his  troops  should  rise  in  mutiny,  send  for  the 
ships,  and  escape  from  the  ill-starred  enterprise. 
This  certainly  indicates,  under  the  circumstances,  an 
unsound,  if  not  a  deranged  mind.  For  four  days 
the  troops  toiled  along  through  a  dismal  region,  un- 
inhabited, and  encumbered  with  tangled  forests  and 
almost  impassable  swamps. 

At  length  they  came  to  a  small  village  called 
Chisca,  upon  the  banks  of  the  most  majestic  stream 
they  had  yet  discovered.  Sublimely  the  mighty  flood, 
a  mile  and  a  half  in  width,  rolled  by  them.  The  cur- 
rent was  rapid  and  bore  upon  its  bosom  a  vast 
amount  of  trees,  logs,  and  drift-wood,  showing  that  its 

sources  must  be  hundreds  of  leagues  far  away,  in  the 
unknown  interior.     This  was  the  mighty  Mississippi? 

the  *  father  of  waters.'     The  Indians,  at  that  point, 

called  it  Chucagua.     Its  source  and  its  embouchure 

were  alike   unknown   to   De    Soto.     Little   was  he 

then  aware  of  the  magnitude  of  the  discovery  he  had 

made. 

,  *'  De  Soto,"  says  Mr.  Irving,  "  was  the  first  Euro- 


302 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


pean  who  looked  out  upon  the  turbid  waters  of  this 
magnificent  river ;  and  that  event  has  more  surely 
enrolled  his  name  among  those  who  will  ever  live  in 
American  history,  than  if  he  had  discovered  mines  of 
silver  and  gold." 

The  Spaniards  had  reached  the  river  after  a  four 
days'  march  through  an  unpeopled  wilderness.     The 
Indians  of  Chisca  knew  nothing  of  their  approach, 
and  probably  had  never  heard  of  their  being  in  the 
country.     The  tribe  inhabiting  the  region  of  which 
Chisca  was  the  metropolis,  was  by  no  means  as  formi- 
dable, as  many  whom  they  had  already  encountered. 
The  dwelling  of  the  Cacique  stood  on  a  large  artifi 
cial  mound,  from  eighteen  to  twenty  feet  in  height 
It  was  ascended  by  two  ladders,  which  could  of  course 
be  easily  drawn  up,  leaving  the  royal  family   thus 
quite  isolated  from  the  people  below. 

Chisca,  the  chieftain,  was  far  advanced  in  years,  a 
feeble,  emaciate  old  man  of  very  diminutive  stature. 
In  the  days  of  his  prime,  he  had  been  a  renowned 
warrior.  Hearing  of  the  arrival  of  the  Spaniards,  he 
was  disposed  to  regard  them  as  enemies,  and  seizing 
his  tomahawk,  he  was  eager  to  descend  from  his  cas- 
tle and  lead  his  warriors  to  battle. 

The  contradictory  statements  are  made  that  De 
Soto,  weary  of  the  harassing  warfare  of  the  winter, 
was  very  anxious  to  secure  the  friendship  of  these 


THE  DISaDVERY   OF  THE   MISSISSIPPI.         303 

Indians.  Unless  he  were  crazed,  it  must  have  been 
so,  for  there  was  absolutely  nothing  to  be  gained, 
but  everything  to  be  imperilled,  by  war.  On  the 
other  hand,  it  is  said  that  the  moment  the  Spaniards 
descried  the  village,  they  rushed  into  it,  plundering 
the  houses,  seizing  men  and  women  as  captives. 
Both  statements  may  have  been  partially  true.  It  is 
not  improbable  that  the  disorderly  troops  of  De  So- 
to, to  his  great  regret,  were  guilty  of  some  outrages, 
while  he  personally  might  have  been  intensely  anx- 
ious to  repress  this  violence  and  cultivate  only  friend- 
ly relations  with  the  natives. 

But  whatever  may  have  been  the  hostile  or 
friendly  attitude  assumed  by  the  Spaniards,  it  is  ad- 
r^itted  that  the  Cacique  was  disposed  to  wage  war 
against  the  new  comers.  The  more  prudent  of  his 
warriors  urged  that  he  should  delay  his  attack  upon 
them  until  he  had  made  such  preparations  as  would 
secure  successful  results. 

"  It  will  be  best  first,"  said  they,  "  to  assemble  all 
the  warriors  of  our  nation,  for  these  men  are  well 
armed.  In  the  meantime,  let  us  pretend  friendship 
and  not  provoke  an  attack  until  we  are  strong  enough 
to  be  sure  of  victory." 

The  irascible  old  chief  was  willing  only  partially 
to  listen  to  this  advice.  He  delayed  the  conflict,  but 
did  not  disguise  his  hostility.     De  Soto  sent  to  him 


304 


FERDINAND  DE   SOTO. 


a  very  friendly  message,  declaring  that  he  came  in 
peace  and  wished  only  for  an  unmolested  march 
through  his  country.  The  Cacique  returned  an  an- 
gry reply,  refusing  all  courteous  intercourse. 

The  Spaniards  had  been  but  three  hours  in  the 
village  when,  to  their  surprise,  they  perceived  an 
army  of  four  thousand  warriors,  thoroughly  prepared 
for  battle,  gathered  around  the  mound  upon  which 
was  reared  the  dwelling  of  the  chief.  If  so  many 
warriors  could  be  assemblf'd  in  so  short  a  time,  they 
feared  there  must  be  a  large  number  in  reserve  who 
could  be  soon  drawn  in.  The  Spaniards,  in  their 
long  marches  and  many  battles,  had  dwindled  away 
to  less  than  five  hundred  men.  Four  thousand 
against  five  hundred  were  fearful  odds ;  and  yet  the 
number  of  their  foes  might  speedily  be  doubled  or 
even  quadrupled.  In  addition  to  this,  the  plains 
around  the  city  were  exceedingly  unfavorable  for  the 
movements  of  the  Spanish  army,  while  they  present- 
ed great  advantages  to  the  nimble-footed  natives,  for 
the  region  was  covered  with  forests,  sluggish  streams 

and  bogs. 

By  great  exertions,  De  Soto  succeeded  in  effect- 
ing a  sort  of  compromise.  The  Cacique  consented 
to  allow  the  Spaniards  to  remain  for  six  days  in  the 
village  to  nurse  the  sick  and  the  wounded.  Food 
was  to  be  furnished  them  by  the  Cacique.     At  the 


THE  DISCOVERY   OF  THE   MISSISSIPPI. 


305 


end  of  six  days  the  Spaniards  were  to  leave,  abstain- 
ing entirely  from  pillage,  from  injuring  the  crops, 
and  from  all  other  acts  of  violence. 

The  Cacique  and  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  village 
abandoned  the  place,  leaving  it  to  the  sole  occupancy 
of  the  Spaniards.  April,  in  that  sunny  clime,  was 
mild  as  genial  summer.  The  natives,  with  their 
simple  habits,  probably  found  httle  inconvenience  in 
encamping  in  the  groves  around.  On  the  last  day 
of  his  stay,  De  Soto  obtained  permission  to  visit  the 
Cacique.  He  thanked  the  chief  cordially  for  his 
kindness  and  hospitality,  and  taking  an  affectionate 
leave,  continued  his  journey  into  the  unknown  re- 
gions beyond. 

Ascending  the  tortuous  windings  of  the  river  on 
the  eastern  bank,  the  Spaniards  found  themselves, 
for  four  days,  in  almost  impenetrable  thickets,  where 
there  were  no  signs  of  inhabitants.  At  length  they 
came  to  quite  an  opening  in  the  forest.  A  treeless 
plain,  waving  with  grass,  spread  far  and  wide  around 
them.  The  Mississippi  river  here  was  about  half  a 
league  in  width.  On  the  opposite  bank  large  num- 
bers of  Indians  were  seen,  many  of  them  warriors  in 
battle  array,  while  a  fleet  of  canoes  lined  the  shore. 

De  Soto  decided,  for  some  unexplained  reason,  to 
cross  the  river  at  that  point,  though  it  was  evident 
that  the  Indians  had  in  some  way  received  tidings 


3o6 


FKRDIXAND   DE  SOTO. 


of  his  approach,  and  were  assembled  there  to  dispute 
his  passajjc.  The  natives  could  easily  cross  the  river 
in  their  canoes,  but  they  would  hardly  venture  to 
attack  the  Spaniards  upon  the  open  plain,  where 
there  was  such  a  fine  opportunity  for  the  charges  of 
their  cavalry. 

Here  De  Soto  encamped  for  twenty  days,  while 
all  who  could  handle  tools  were  employed  in  build- 
ing four  large  flat  boats  for  the  transportation  of  the 
troops  across  the  stream.  Cn  the  second  day  of  the 
encampment,  several  natives  '•om  some  tribe  dis- 
posed to  be  friendly,  on  the  eastei.  >ide  of  the  river, 
visited  the  Spaniards.  With  very  mu  h  ceremony 
of  bowing  and  semi-barbaric  parade,  they  approached 
De  Soto,  and  informed  him  that  they  were  commis- 
sioned by  their  chief  to  bid  hirri  welcome  to  his  ter- 
ritory, and  to  assure  him  of  his  friendly  services. 
De  Soto,  much  gratified  by  this  message,  received 
the  envoys  with  the  greatest  kindness,  and  dismissed 
them  highly  pleased  with  their  reception. 

Though  this  chief  sent  De  Soto  repeated  mes- 
sages of  kindness,  he  did  not  himself  visit  the  Span- 
ish camp,  the  alleged  reason  being,  and  perhaps  the 
true  one,  that  he  was  on  a  sick  bed.  He,  however, 
sent  large  numbers  of  his  subjects  with  supplies  of 
food,  and  to  assist  the  Spaniards  in  drawing  the  tim- 
ber to  construct  their  barges.     The  hostile  Indians 


THE  DISCOVERY  OF  THE   MISSISSIPPI. 


307 


on  the  opposite  bank  frequently  crossed  in  their  ca- 
noes, and  attacking  small  bands  of  workmen,  show- 
ered upon  them  volleys  of  arrows,  and  fled  again  to 
their  boats. 

One  day  the  Spaniards,  while  at  work,  saw  two 
hundred  canoes  filled  with  natives,  in  one  united 
squadron,  descending  the  river.  It  was  a  beautiful 
sight  to  witness  this  fleet,  crowded  with  decorated 
and  plumed  warriors,  their  paddles,  ornaments,  and 
burnished  weapons  flashing  in  the  sunlight.  They 
came  in  true  military  style  :  several  warriors  stand- 
ing at  the  bows  and  stern  of  each  boat,  with  large 
shields  of  buffalo  hides  on  their  left  arms,  and  with 
bows  and  arrows  in  their  hands.  De  Soto  advanced 
to  the  shore  to  meet  them,  where  he  stood  sur- 
rounded by  his  staff.  The  royal  barge  containing 
the  chief  was  paddled  within  a  few  rods  of  the  bank. 
The  Cacique  then  rose,  and  addressed  De  Soto  in 
words  which  were  'translated  by  the  interpreter  as 
follows : 

"  I  am  informed  that  you  are  the  envoy  of  the 
most  powerful  monarch  on  the  globe.  I  have  come 
to  proffer  to  you  friendship  and  homage,  and  to  as- 
sure you  of  my  assistance  in  any  way  in  which  I  can 
be  of  service." 

De  Soto  thanked  him  lieartily  for  his  offers,  and 
entreated  him  to  land,  assuring  him  he  should  meet 


3o8 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


only  the  kindest  reception.  The  following  extra- 
ordinary account  of  the  termination  of  this  interview, 
a  termination  which  seems  incredible,  is  given  in  the 
"Conquest  of  Florida:" 

"  The  Cacique  returned  no  answer,  but  sent  three 
canoes  on  shore  with  presents  of  fruit,  and  bread 
made  of  the  pulp  of  a  certain  kind  of  plum.  The 
Governor  again  importuned  the  savage  to  land,  but 
perceiving  him  to  hesitate,  and  suspecting  a  treach- 
erous and  hostile  intent,  marshalled  his  men  in  order 
of  battle.  Upon  this  the  Indians  turned  their  prows 
and  fled.  ^ 

"  The  cross-bowmen  sent  a  flight  of  arrows  after 
them,  and  killed  five  or  six  of  their  number.  They 
retreated  in  good  order,  covering  the  rowers  with 
their  shields.  Several  times  after  this  they  landed 
to  attack  the  soldiers,  as  was  supposed,  but  the  mo- 
ment the  Spaniards  charged  upon  them  they  fled  to 
their  canoes." 

If  this  account  be  true,  the  attack  by  the  Span- 
iards was  as  inexcusable  as  it  was  senseless.  At  the 
end  of  twenty  days  the  four  barges  were  built  and 
launched.  In  the  darkness  of  the  night  De  Soto 
ordered  them  to  be  well  manned  with  rowers  and 
picked  troops  of  tried  prudence  and  courage.  The 
moment  the  bows  touched  the  beach  the  soldiers 
sprang  ashore,  to  their  surprise  encountering  no  re- 


THE  DISCOVERY   OF  THE   MISSISSIPPI. 


309 


sistance.  The  boats  immediately  returned  for  an- 
other load.  Rapidly  they  passed  to  and  fro,  and 
before  the  sun  went  down  at  the  close  of  that  day, 
the  whole  army  was  transported  to  the  western  bank 
of  the  Mississippi.  The  point  where  De  Soto  and 
his  army  crossed,  it  is  supposed,  was  at  w.iat  is  called 
the  lowest  Chickasaw  Bluff. 

"  The  river  in  this  place,''  says  the  Portuguese 
Narrative,  "  was  a  mile  and  a  half  in  breadth,  so  that 
a  man  standing  still  could  scarcely  be  discerned  from 
the  opposite  shore.  Ii  was  of  great  depth,  of  won- 
derful rapidity,  and  '  very  turbid,  and  was  always 
filled  with  floating  trees  and  timber,  carried  down  by 
the  force  of  the  current." 

The  army  having  all  crossed,  the  boats  were 
broken  up,  as  usual,  to  preserve  the  nails.  It  would 
seem  that  the  hostile  Indians  had  all  vanished,  for 
the  Spaniards  advanced  four  days  h\  a  westerly 
direction,  through  an  uninhabited  wilderness,  en- 
countering no  opposition.  On  the  fifth  day  they 
toiled  up  a  heavy  swell  of  land,  from  whose  summit 
they  discerned,  in  a  valley  on  the  other  side,  a  large 
village  of  about  four  hundred  dwellings.  It  was  situ- 
ated on  the  fertile  banks  of  a  stream,  which  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  the  St.  Francis. 

The  extended  valley,  watered  by  this  river,  pre- 
sented a  lovely  view  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach, 


310 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


with  luxuriant  fields  of  Indian  corn  and  with  groves 
of  fruit  trees.  The  natives  had  received  some  inti- 
mation of  the  approach  of  the  Spaniards,  and  in 
friendly  crowds  gathered  around  them,  offering  fooo 
and  the  occupancy  of  their  houses.  Two  of  J  o 
highest  chieftains,  subordinate  to  the  Cacique,  soon 
came  with  an  imposing  train  of  warriors,  bearing  a 
welcome  from  their  chief  and  the  offer  of  his  services. 

De  Soto  received  them  with  the  utmost  courtesy, 
and  in  the  interchange  of  these  friendly  offices,  both 
Spaniards  and  natives  became  alike  pleased  with 
each  other.  The  adventurers  remained  in  this  vil 
lage  for  six  days,  finding  abundant  food  for  them- 
selves and  their  horses,  and  experiencing  in  the 
friendship  and  hospitahty  of  the  natives,  joys  which 
certainly  never  were  found  in  the  horrors  of  war. 
The  province  was  called  by  the  name  of  Kaski,  and 
was  probably  the  same  as  that  occupied  by  the  Kas- 
kaskias  Indians. 

Upon  commencing  anew  their  march  they  passed 
through  a  populous  and  well  cultivated  country, 
where  peace,  prosperity  and  abundance  seemed  to 
reign.  In  two  days,  having  journeyed  about  twenty 
miles  up  the  western  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  they 
approached  the  chief  town  of  the  prvince  vvhcre  the 
Cacique  lived.  It  was  situated,  ar^  "s  '•up^joiicu,  in  the 
region   now   called    Little   Prairie,   in    the    extreme 


t 


■'Tj 


THE  DISCOVERY  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI. 


311 


southern  part  of  the  State  of  Missouri,  not  far  from 
New  Madrid.  Here  they  found  the  hospitable 
hands  of  the  Cacique  and  his  people  extended  to 
greet  them. 

The  residence  of  the  chief  stood  upon  a  broad  ar- 
tificial mound,  sufficiently  capacious  for  twelve  or 
thirteen  houses,  which  were  occupied  by  bis  numer- 
ous family  and  attendants.  He  made  De  Soto  a 
present  of  a  rich  fur  mantle,  and  invited  him,  with 
his  suite,  to  occupy  the  royal  dwellings  for  their  res- 
idence. De  Soto  politely  declined  this  offer,  as  he 
was  unwilling  thus  to  incommode  his  kind  enter- 
tainer. He,  however,  accepted  the  accommodation 
of  several  houses  in  the  village.  The  remainder  of 
the  army  were  lodged  in  exceedingly  pleasant  bow- 
(?rs,  skilfully,  and  very  expeditiously  constructed  by 
the  natives,  of  bark  and  the  green  boughs  of  trees, 
outside  the  village. 

It  was  now  the  month  of  May.  The  weather  was 
intensely  hot,  and  these  rustic  bowers  were  found  to 
be  refreshingly  cool  and  grateful.  The  name  of  this 
friendly  chief  was  Casquin.  Here  the  army  remain- 
ed for  three  days,  without  a  ripple  of  unfriendly  feel- 
ing arising  between  the  Spaniards  and  the  natives. 

It  was  a  season  of  unusual  drouth  in  the  country, 
and  on  the  fourth  day  the  following  extraordinary 
incident  occurred :    Casquin,  accompanied  by  quite. 


312 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


an  imposing  retinue  of  his  most  distinguished  men, 
came  into  the  presence  of  De  Soto,  and  stepping 
forwart ,  '1.  great  solemnity  of  manner,  said  to 
him, — 

"  SeSor,  as  you  are  superior  to  us  in  prowess  and 
surpass  us  in  arms,  we  Hkewise  believe  that  your  God 
is  better  than  our  God.  These  you  behold  before 
you  are  the  chief  warriors  of  my  dominions.  We 
supplicate  you  to  pray  to  your  God  to  send  us  rain, 
for  our  fields  are  parched  for  the  want  of  water." 

De  Soto,  who  was  a  reflective  man,  of  pensive 
temperament  and  devoutly  inclined,  responded, — 

'*  We  are  all  alike  sinners,  but  we  will  pray  to  God, 
the  Father  of  mercies,  to  show  his  kindness  to  you.'* 

He  then  ordered  the  carpenter  to  cut  down  one 
of  the  tallest  pine  trees  in  the  vicinity.  It  was  care- 
fully trimmed  and  formed  into  a  perfect,  but  gigan- 
tic cross.  Its  dimensions  were  such,  that  it  required 
the  strength  of  one  hundred  men  to  raise  and  plant 
it  in  the  ground.  Two  days  were  employed  in  this 
operation.  The  cross  stood  upon  a  bluff,  on  the 
western  bank  of  the  Mississippi.  The  next  morning 
after  it  was  reared,  the  whole  Spanish  army  was  call- 
ed out  to  celebrate  the  erection  of  the  cross,  by  a 
solemn  religious  procession.  A  large  number  of  the 
natives,  with  apparent  devoutness,  joined  in  the  fes- 
tival. 


THE  DISCOVRRY   OF  THE   MlSSISSirPI.         313 


Casquin  and  De  Soto  took  the  lead,  walking  side 
by  side.  The  Spanish  soldiers  and  the  native  war- 
riors, composing  a  procession  of  more  than  a  thou- 
sand persons,  walked  harmoniously  along  as  brothers, 
to  commemorate  the  erection  of  the  cross — the  sym- 
bol of  the  Christian's  faith.  The  Cross  !  It  should  be 
the  emblem  of  peace  on  earth  and  good  will  among 
men.  Alas !  how  often  has  it  been  the  badge  of  cru- 
elty and  crime. 

The  priests,  for  there  were  several  in  the  army, 
chanted  their  Christian  hymns,  and  offered  fervent 
prayers.  The  Mississippi  at  this  point  is  not  very 
broad,  and  it  is  said  that  upon  the  opposite  bank 
twenty  thousand  natives  were  assembled,  watching 
with  intensest  interest  the  imposing  ceremony,  and 
apparently,  at  times,  taking  part  in  the  exercises. 
When  the  priests  raised  their  hands  in  prayer,  they, 
too,  extended  their  arms  and  raised  their  eyes,  as  if 
imploring  the  aid  of  the  God  of  heaven  and  of  earth. 

Occasionally  a  low  moan  was  heard  wafted  across 
the  river — a  wailing  cry,  as  if  woe-stricken  children 
were  imploring  the  aid  of  an  Almighty  Father.  The 
spirit  of  De  Soto  was  deeply  moved  to  tenderness 
and  sympathy  as  he  witnessed  this  benighted  people 
paying  such  homage  to  the  emblem  of  man's  re- 
demption. After  several  prayers  were  offered,  the 
whole  procession,  slowly  advancing  two  by  two,  knelt 
14    . 


SH 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


before  the  cross,  as  in  brief  ejaculatory  prayer,  and 
kissed  it.  All  then  returned  with  the  same  solem- 
nity to  the  village,  the  priests  chanting  the  grand  an- 
them, "  Te  Deum  Laudamus." 

Thus  more  than  three  hundred  years  ago  the 
cross,  significant  of  the  religion  of  Jesus,  was  planted 
upon  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  and  the  melody 
of  Christian  hymns  was  wafted  across  the  silent 
waters,  and  was  blended  with  the  sighing  of  the 
breeze  through  the  tree-tops.  It  is  sad  to  reflect 
how  little  c'^the  spirit  of  that  religion  has  since  been 
manifested  in  those  realms  in  man's  treatment  of  his 

brother  man. 

It  is  worthy  of  especial  notice  that  upon  the  night 
succeeding  this  eventful  day  clouds  gathered,  and 
the  long-looked-for  rain  fell  abundantly.     The  devout 

Las  Casas  writes : 

"  God,  in  his  mercy,  willing  to  show  these  hea- 
then that  he  listeneth  to  those  who  call  upon  him  in 
truth,  sent  down,  in  the  middle  of  the  ensuing  night, 
a  plenteous  rain,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  Indians." 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


Vagrant  Wanderings, 


Trickery  of  Casquin.— The  March  to  Capaha.— The  Battle  and  its 
Results. — Friendly  Relations  with  Capaha. — The  Return  Jour- 
ney.— The  March  Southward, — Salt  Springs. — The  Savages  of 
Tulu. — Their  Ferocity  .-^Anecdote. — Despondency  of  De  Soto. 

It  is  painful  to  recall  the  mind  from  these  peace- 
ful, joy-giving,  humanizing  scenes  of  religion,  to  bar- 
baric war — its  crime,  carnage,  and  misery.  It  is  an 
affecting  comment  upon  the  fall  of  man,  that  far 
away  in  this  wilderness,  among  these  tribes  that 
might  so  have  blessed  and  cheered  each  other  by 
fraternal  love,  war  seems  to  have  been  the  normal 
condition.  After  a  residence  of  nine  days  in  this 
village,  beneath  truly  sunny  skies,  in  the  enjoyment 
of  abundance,  and  cheered  by  fruits,  flowers,  and 
bird-songs,  the  Spanish  army  again  commenced  its 
march  in  the  wild  and  apparently  senseless  search 
for  gold. 

The  Cacique,  Casquin,  was  about  fifty  years  of 
age.  He  begged  permission  to  accompany  De  Soto 
to  the  next  province,  with  his  whole  army  in  its  best 
military  array,  and  with  a  numerous  band  of  attend- 


3i6 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


.^ 


ants  to  Carry  provisions  and  to  gather  wood  and  fod- 
der for  the  encampments.  De  Soto  cheerfully  accept- 
ed this  friendly  offer.  But  he  soon  found  that  it  was 
hatred,  not  love,  which  was  the  impelling  motive ; 
that  the  chief  was  incited  by  a  desire  to  make  war,  not 
to  cultivate  peace.  The  chief  of  the  next  province 
was  a  redoubtable  warrior  named  Capaha.  His  ter- 
ritories were  extensive  ;  his  subjects  numerous  and 
martial.  Time  out  of  mind  there  had  been  warfare 
between  these  two  provinces,  the  subjects  of  each 
hating  each  other  implacably. 

Capaha  had  in  recent  conflicts  been  quite  the  vic- 
tor, and  Casquin  thought  this  a  good  opportunity, 
with  the  Spaniards  for  his  powerful  allies,  to  take 
signal  vengeance  upon  his  foe.  Of  this  De  Soto,  at 
the  time,  knew  nothing. 

The  army  commenced  its  march.  There  were 
five  thousand  native  warriors  who  accompanied  him, 
plumed,  painted,  and  armed  in  the  highest  style  of 
savage  art.  There  were  three  thousand  attendants, 
who  bore  the  supplies,  and  who  were  also  armed  with 
bows  and  arrows.  Casquin,  with  his  troops,  took  the 
lead  ;  wishing,  as  he  said,  to  clear  the  road  of  any 
obstructions,  to  drive  off  any  lurking  foes,  and  to 
prepare  at  night  the  ground  for  the  comfortable  en- 
campment of  the  Spaniards.  His  troops  were  in  a 
good  state  of  military  discipline,  and  marched  in  well 


■wwaaHl 


VAGRANT  WANDERINGS. 


31; 


c^anized  array  about  a  mile  and  a  half  in  advance 
of  the  Spaniards. 

Thus  they  travelled  for  three  uneventful  days, 
until  they  reached  an  immense  swamp,  extending 
back  unknown  miles  from  the  Mississippi.  This  was 
the  frontier  line  which  bordered  the  hostile  provinces 
of  Casquin  and  Capaha.  Crossing  it  with  much  diffi- 
culty, they  encamped  upon  a  beautiful  prairie  upon 
the  northern  side.  A  journey  of  two  days  through  a 
sparsely  inhabited  country  brought  them  to  the  more 
fertile  and  populous  region  of  the  new  province. 
Here  they  found  the  capital  of  the  Cacique.  It  was 
a  well  fortified  town  of  about  five  hundred  larsfe 
houses,  situated  upon  elevated  land,  which  com- 
manded an  extensive  view  of  the  country  aroi  nd. 
One  portion  of  the  town  was  protected  by  a  deep 
ditch,  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  broad.  The  higher 
portion  was  defended  by  a  strong  palisade.  The 
ditch,  or  canal,  connected  with  the  Mis" issippi  river, 
which  was  nine  miles  distant. 

Capaha,  hearing  suddenly  of  the  arrival  of  so 
formidable  a  force,  fled  down  the  canal  in  a  curve,  to 
an  island  in  the  river,  where  he  summoned  his  war- 
riors to  meet  him  as  speedily  as  possible.  Casquin, 
marching  as  usual  a  mile  and  a  half  in  advance,  find- 
ing the  town  unprotected,  and  almost  abandoned, 
entered  and  immediately  commenced  all  the  ravages 


3i8 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


of  savage  warfare.  One  hundred  men,  women  and 
children,  caught  in  the  place,  were  immediately  seiz- 
ed, the  men  killed  and  scalped,  the  women  and  boys 
made  captives.  To  gratify  their  vengeance,  they 
broke  into  the  mausoleum,  held  so  sacred  by  the  In- 
dians, where  the  remains  of  all  the  great  men  of  the 
tribe  had  been  deposited.  They  broke  open  the  cof- 
fins, scattered  the  remains  over  the  floor  and  tramp- 
led them  beneath  their  feet. 

It  is  said  that  Casquin,  would  have  set  fire  to  the 
mausoleum,  and  laid  it  and  the  whole  village  in  ashes, 
but  that  he  feared  that  he  might  thus  incur  the  an- 
ger of  De  Soto.  When  the  Governor  arrived  and  saw 
what  ravages  had  been  committed  by  those  who  had 
come  as  his  companions,  friends  and  allies,  he  was 
greatly  distressed.  Immediately  he  sent  envoys  to 
Capaha  on  the  island,  assuring  him  of  his  regret  in 
view  of  the  outrages ;  that  neither  he,  nor  his  sol- 
diers, had  in  the  slightest  degree  participated  in  them, 
and  that  he  sought  only  friendly  relations  with  the 
Cacique.  '         ■;,;;•        ■■/!-' ,-•  •;--,;::-  .v/ .,:,/:, :.-:u- ■...'■• 

Capaha,  who  was  a  proud  warrior,  and  who  had 
retired  but  for  a  little  time  that  he  might  marshal 
his  armies  to  take  vengeance  on  the  invaders,  return- 
ed an  indignant  and  defiant  answer  ;  declaring  that 
he  sought  no  peace,  but  that  he  would  wage  war  to 
the  last  extremity. 


•VAGRANT  WANDERINGS. 


319 


Again  Dc  Soto  found  himself  in  what  maybe  call- 
ed a  false  position.  The  chief  Capaha  and  his  people 
were  exasperated  against  him  in  the  highest  degree. 
The  nation  was  one  of  the  most  numerous  and  pow- 
erful on  the  Mississippi.  Should  the  eight  thousand 
allies,  who  had  accompanied  him  from  Kaska,  and 
who  had  plunged  him  into  these  difficulties,  with- 
draw, he  would  be  left  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  these 
fierce  warriors.  From  ten  to  twenty  thousand  might 
rush  upon  his  little  band,  now  numbering  but  about 
four  hundred,  and  their  utter  extermination  could 
hardly  be  doubtful.  Under  these  circumstances  he 
decided  to  attempt  to  conquer  a  peace.  Still  he 
made  other  efforts,  but  in  vain,  to  conciliate  the  just- 
ly enraged  chieftain.  He  then  prepared  for  war. 
However  severely  he  may  be  censured  for  this  decis- 
ion, it  is  the  duty  of  the  impartial  historian  to  state 
those  facts  which  may  in  some  degree  modify  lU  se- 
verity of  judgment. 

A  large  number  of  canoes  were  prepared,  in 
which  two  hundred  Spaniards  and  three  thousand 
Indians  embarked  to  attack  Capaha  upon  his  island, 
before  he  had  time  to  collect  a  resistless  force  of  war- 
riors. They  found  the  island  covered  with  a  dense 
forest,  and  the  chief  and  his  troops  strongly  intrench- 
ed. The  battle  was  fought  with  great  fury,  the  Span- 
ish soldiers  performing  marvellous  feats  of  bravery, 


320 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


strength  and  endurance.  The  warriors  of  Capaha, 
who  fought  with  courage  equal  to  that  of  the  Span- 
iards, and  stpuck  such  dismay  into  the  more  timid 
troo^>»of  Casquin,  that  thoy  abandoned  their  allies 
and  fled  tumultuously  to  their  canoes,  and  swiftly 
paddled  away. 

Dc  Soto,  thus  left  to  bear  the  whole  brunt  of  the 
hostile  army,  was  also  compelled  to  retreat.  He  diJ 
this  in  good  order,  and  might  have  suffered  terribly 
in  the  retreat  but  for  the  singular  and,  at  the  time, 
unaccountable  fact  that  Capaha  withdrew  his  war- 
riors and  allowed  the  Spaniards  to  embark  unmolest- 
ed. It  would  seem  that  the  sagacious  chieftain,  im- 
pressed by  the  wonderful  martial  prowess  displayed 
by  the  Spaniards,  and  by  the  reiterated  proffers  of 
peace  and  friendship  which  had  been  made  to  him, 
and  despising  the  pusillanimity  of  the  troops  of  Cas- 
quin, whom  he  had  always  been  in  the  habit  of  con- 
quering, thought  that  by  detaching  the  Spaniards 
from  them  he  could  convert  De  Soto  and  his  band 
into  friends  and  allies.  Then  he  could  fall  upon  the 
Indian  army,  and  glut  his  vengeance,  by  repaying 
them  tenfold  for  all  the  outrages  they  had  commit- 
ted. ;v 

Accordingly,  the  next  morning,  four  ambassadors 
of  highest  rank  visited  the  Spanish  encampment. 
Dc  Soto  and  Casquin  were  together.    The  ambassa- 


VAGRANT  WANDERINGS. 


321 


dors  bowed  to  De  Soto  with  profound  reverence,  but 
disdainfully  took  no  notice  whatever  of  Casquin. 
The  speaker  then  said, —  • 

"We  have  come,  in  the  name  of  our  chief,  to  im- 
plore the  oblivion  of  the  past  and  to  offer  to  you  his 
friendship  and  homage." 

Dc  Soto  was  greatly  relieved  b\  the  prospect  of 
this  termination  of  the  difficulties  in  which  he  had 
found  himself  involved.  He  treated  the  envoys  with 
great  affability,  reciprocated  all  their  friendly  utter- 
ances, and  they  returned  to  Capaha  highly  pleased 
with  their  reception. 

Casquin  was  very  indignant.  He  did  everything 
in  his  power  to  excite  the  hostility  of  De  Soto 
against  Capaha,  but  all  was  in  vain.  The  Governor 
was  highly  displeased  with  the  trick  Casquin  had 
played  upon  him,  in  setting  out  on  a  military  expe- 
dition under  the  guise  of  an  honorary  escort.  He 
despised  the  cowardice  which  Casquin's  troops  had 
evinced  in  the  battle,  and  he  respected  the  courage 
which  Capaha  had  exhibited,  and  the  frankness  and 
magnanimity  of  his  conduct.  He  therefore  issued 
orders  to  his  own  and  the  native  army  that  no  one 
should  inflict  any  injury  whatever,  either  upon  the 
persons  or  the  property  of  the  natives  of  the  prov- 
ince. He  allowed  Casquin  to  remain  in  his  camp  and 
under  his  protection  for  a  few  days,  but  compelled 
14* 


322 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


him  to  send  immedietely  home  the  whole  body  of 
his  followers,  retaining  merely  enough  vassals  for  his 
personal  service. 

The  next  morning  Capaha  himself,  accompanied 
by  a  train  of  one  hundred  of  his  warriors,  fearlessly 
returned  to  his  village.  He  must  have  had  great 
confidence  in  the  integrity  of  De  Soto,  for  by  this 
act  he  placed  himself  quite  in  the  power  of  the  Span- 
iards. Immediately  upon  entering  the  village,  he 
visited  the  desecrated  mausoleum  of  his  ancestors, 
and  in  silent  indignation  -epaired,  as  far  as  possible, 
the  injury  which  had  been  done.  He  then  proceeded 
to  the  headquarters  of  De  Soto.  The  Spanish  Gov- 
ernor and  Casquin  were  seated  together. 

Capaha  was  about  twenty-six  years  of  age,  of  very 
fine  person  and  of  frank  and  winning  manners.  With 
great  cordiality  he  approached  De  Soto,  reiterating 
his  proffers  of  friendship,  and  his  earnest  desire  that 
kindly  feelings  should  be  cherished  between  them. 
Casquin  he  treated  with  utter  disdain,  paying  no 
more  attention  to  him  than  if  he  had  not  been  pres- 
ent. For  some  time  the  Indian  Cacique  and  the 
Spanish  Governor  conversed  together  with  perfect 
frankness  and  cordiality.  A  slight  pause  occurring  in 
their  discourse,  Capaha  fixed  his  eyes  sternly  for  a 
moment  upon  Casquin  and  said,  in  tones  of  strong 
indignation, — 


VAGRANT  WANDERINGS. 


323 


'*  You,  Casquin,  undoubtedly  exult  in  the  thought 
that  you  have  revenged  your  past  defeats.  This  you 
never  could  have  done  through  your  own  strength. 
You  are  indebted  to  these  strangers  for  what  you 
have  accomplished.  Soon  they  will  go  on  their  way. 
But  we  shall  be  left  in  this  country  as  we  were  be- 
fore. We  shall  then  meet  again.  Pray  to  the  gods 
that  they  may  send  us  good  weather." 

De  Soto  humanely  did  everything  in  his  power 
to  promote  reconciliation  between  the  hostile  chief- 
tains. But  all  v/as  in  vain.  Though  they  treated 
each  other  with  civility,  he  observed  frequent  inter- 
changes of  angry  glances. 

The  Spaniards  found,  in  this  town,  a  great  variety 
of  valuable  skins  of  deer,  panthers,  buffalo  and  bears. 
Taught  by  the  Indians,  the  Spaniards  made  them- 
selves very  comfortable  moccasons  of  deerskin,  and 
also  strong  bucklers,  impervious  lo  arrows,  of  buffalo 
hide. 

After  making  minute  and  anjcious  inquiries  for 
gold,  and  ascertaining  that  there  was  none  to  be 
found  in  that  direction,  Dc  Sotc  turned  his  despond- 
ing steps  backwards  to  Kaska.  Here  he  remained 
for  four  days,  preparing  for  a  mar^h  to  the  south- 
ward. He  then  continued  his  progress  nine  days 
down  the  western  bank  of  the  river,  until,  on  the 
fourth  of  August,  he  reached  a  province  called  Qui- 


324 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


gate.  His  path  had  led  him  through  a  populous 
country,  but  the  Indians  made  no  attempt  to  molest 
his  movements.  It  is  supposed  that  Quigate  must 
have  been  on  the  White  river,  about  forty  or  fifty 
miles  from  its  mouth.  Here  De  Soto  learned  that, 
faraway  in  the  northwest  there  was  a  range  of  moun- 
tains, and  there  he  thought  might  perhaps  be  the 
gold  region  of  which  he  had  so  long  been  in  search. 

Immediately  he  put  his  soldiers  in  motion,  led  by 
a  hope  which  was  probably  rejected  by  every  mind 
in  the  army,  except  his  own.  A  single  Indian  guide 
led  them  on  a  weary  tramp  for  many  days,  through 
dreary  morasses  and  tangled  forests.  They  at  length 
came  to  a  village  called  Coligoa,  which  is  supposed 
to  have  been  upon  the  banks  of  White  river.  The 
natives  at  first  fled  in  terror  at  their  approach,  but  as 
no  hostility  was  manifested  by  the  Spaniards,  they 
soon  gained  confidence,  and  returned  with  kind 
words  and  presents.  But  there  was  no  gold  there, 
and  no  visions  of  gold  in  the  distance. 

The  chief  informed  De  Soto  that  there  was  a  very 
rich  and  populous  province  about  thirty  miles  to  the 
south,  where  the  inhabitants  were  in  the  enjoyment 
of  a  great  abundance  of  the  good  things  of  life. 
Again  the  Spaniards  took  up  their  line  of  march  in 
that  direction.  They  found  a  fertile  and  quite  thick- 
ly  inhabited  country  on  their   route.     The    Indians 


VAGRANT  WANDERINGS. 


325 


were  friendly,  and  seemed  to  have  attained  a  degree 
of  civilization  superior  to  that  of  most  of  the  tribes 
they  had  as  yet  visited.  The  walls  of  the  better 
class  of  houses  were  hung  with  deer-skins,  so  softly 
tanned  and  colored  that  they  resembled  beautiful 
tapestry.  The  floors  were  also  neatly  carpeted  with 
richly  decorated  skins. 

The  Spaniards  seem  to  have  travelled  very  slowly, 
for  nine  days  were  occupied  in  reaching  Tanico,  in 
the  Cayas  country,  which  was  situated  probably  up- 
on Saline  river,  a  branch  of  the  Washita.  Here  they 
found  some  salt  sprinp^s,  and  cmained  several  days 
to  obtain  a  supply  of  salt,  of  which  the\-  were  greatly 
in  need.  Turning  their  steps  towards  the  west,  still 
groping  blindly,  hunting  for  gold,  they  journeyed 
four  days  through  a  barren  and  uninhabited  region, 
when  suddenly  they  emerged  upon  a  wide  and 
blooming  prairie. 

In  the  centre,  at  the  distance  of  about  a  couple 
of  miles,  between  two  pleasant  streams,  they  saw 
quite  a  large  village.  It  was  midday,  and  the  Gov- 
ernor encamped  his  army  in  the  edge  of  the  grove, 
on  the  borders  of  the  plain.  In  the  afternoon,  with  a 
strong  party  of  horse  and  foot,  he  set  out  upon  a  re- 
connoitering  excursion.  As  he  approached  the  vil- 
lage the  inhabitants,  men  and  women,  sallied  forth 
and  attacked  him  with  great  ferocity.     De  Soto  was 


' 


326 


FERDINAND  DE   SOTO. 


not  a  man  ever  to  turn  his  back  upon  his  assailants. 
The  Spaniards  drew  their  sabres,  and,  all  being  in 
armor,  and  led  by  charges  of  the  horsemen,  soon  put 
the  tumultuous  savages  to  flight,  and  pursued  them 
pell-mell  into  the  village.  -  •   ; 

The  natives  fought  like  tigers  from  doors,  win- 
dows, and  housetops.  The  exasperated  Spaniards, 
smarting  with  their  wounds,  and  seeing  many  of  their 
comrades  already  slain,  cut  down  their  foes  remorse- 
lessly. The  women  fell  before  their  blows  as  well  as 
the  men,  for  the  women  fought  with  unrelenting 
fierceness  which  the  Spaniards  had  never  seen  sur- 
passed. Night  came  on  while  the  battle  still  raged, 
with  no  prospect  of  its  termination.  De  Soto  with- 
drew his  troops  from  the  village,  much  vexed  at  hav- 
ing allowed  himself  to  be  drawn  into  so  useless  a 
conflict,  where  there  was  nothing  to  be  gained,  and 
where  he  had  lost  several  valuable  men  in  killed, 
while  many  more  were  wounded. 

The  next  morning  De  Soto  put  his  whole  army 
in  motion  and  advanced  upon  the  village.  They 
found  it  utterly  abandoned.  Strong  parties  were 
sent  out  in  all  directions  to  capture  some  of  the 
natives,  that  De  Soto  might  endeavor  to  enter  into 
friendly  relations  with  them.  But  it  seemed  impossi- 
ble to  take  any  one  alive.  They  were  as  untamable 
and  as  savage  as  bears  and  wolves,  fighting  against 


VAGRANT  WANDERINGS. 


327 


any  odds  to  the  last  gasp.  Both  women  and  men  were 
exceedingly  ill-looking,  with  shapeless  heads,  which 
were  said  to  have  been  deformed  by  the  compression 
of  bandages  in  infancy.  The  province  was  called 
Tula,  and  the  village  was  situated,  it  is  supposed,  be- 
tween the  waters  of  the  upper  Wachita  and  the  little 
Missouri.  •  t 

The  Spaniards  remained  in  the  village  four  days, 
when  suddenly,  in  the  darkness  of  midnight,  the  war- 
whoop  resounded  from  three  different  directions,  and 
three  large  bands  of  native  warriors,  who  had  so 
stealthily  approached  as  to  elude  the  vigilance  of  the 
sentinels,  plunged  into  the  village  in  a  simultaneous 
attack.  Egyptian  darkness  enveloped  the  combat- 
ants, and  great  was  the  confusion,  for  it  was  almost 
impossible  to  distinguish  friend  from  foe.  The  Span- 
iards, to  avoid  wounding  each  other,  incessantly 
shouted  the  name  of  the  Virgin.  The  savages  were 
armed  with  bows  and  arrows  and  with  javelins, 
heavy,  sharp-pointed,  and  nine  or  ten  feet  in  length, 
which  could  be  used  either  as  clubs  or  pikes.  Wield- 
ed by  their  sinewy  arms,  in  a  hand-to-hand  fight,  the 
javelin  proved  a  very  formidable  weapon. 

The  battle  raged  with  unintermitted  fury  till  the 
dawn  of  the  morning.     The  savages  then,  at  a  given 
signal,  fled  simultaneously  to  the  woods.     The  Span 
iards  did  not  pursue  them.     Thoroughly  armored  as 


328 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


they  were,  but  four  of  their  number  were  killed,  but 
many  were  severely  wounded.  It  was  nearly  twenty 
days  before  the  wounded  were  so  far  convalescent 
that  the  army  could  resume  its  march.  The  follow- 
ing incident  illustrates  the  almost  unexampled  ferocity 
of  these  barbaric  warriors :  ,* 

The  morning  after  the  battle  a  large  number  of 
the  Spanish  soldiers,  thoroughly  armed,  were  explor- 
ing the  field*;-,  around  the  village,  on  foot  and  on 
horseback.  Three  foot  soldiers  and  two  mounted 
men  were  in  company.  One  of  them  saw  in  a  thicket 
an  Indian  raise  his  head  and  immediately  conceal  it. 
The  foot  soldier  ran  up  to  kill  him.  The  savage 
rose,  and  with  a  ponderous  battle-axe  which  he  had 
won  from  the  Spaniards  the  day  before,  struck  the 
shield  of  the  Spaniard  with  such  force  as  to  cut  it  in 
two,  at  the  same  time  severely  wounding  his  arm. 
The  blow  was  so  violent  and  the  wound  so  severe, 
that  the  soldier  was  rendered  helpless.  The  savage 
then  rushed  upon  another  of  the  foot  soldiers,  and  in 
the  same  way  effectually  disabled  him. 

One  of  the  horsemen,  seeing  his  companions  thus 
roughly  handled,  put  spurs  to  his  steed  and  charged 
upon  the  Indian.  The  savage  sprang  to  the  trunk 
of  an  oak  tree,  whose  low  hanging  branches  pre- 
vented the  near  approach  of  the  trooper.  Watch- 
ing his  opportunity,  he  sprang  forth  and  struck  the 


VAGRANT  WANDERINGS. 


329 


horse  such  a  terrible  blow  with  his  axe  as  to  render 
the  animal  utterly  incapable  of  moving.  Just  at  this 
moment  the  gallant  Gonsalvo  Sylvestre  came  up. 
The  Indian  rushed  upon  him,  swinging  his  battle-axe 
in  both  hands;  but  Sylvestre  warded  the  blow  so 
that  the  axe  glanced  over  his  shield  and  buried  its 
edge  deeply  in  the  ground,   i" 

Instantly  the  keen  sabre  of  Sylvestre  fell  upon 
the  savage,  laying  open  his  fac^  and  breast  with  a 
fearful  gash,  and  so  severing  his  right  hand  from  the 
arm  that  it  hung  only  by  the  skin.  The  desperate 
Indian,  seizing  the  axe  between  the  bleeding  stump 
cwqd  the  other  hand,  attempted  to  strike  another 
blow.  Again  Sylvestre  warded  off  the  axe  with  his 
shield,  and  with  one  blow  of  his  sword  upon  the 
waist  of  the  naked  Indian  so  nearly  cut  his  body  in 
two  that  he  fell  dead  at  his  feet. 

During  the  time  the  Spaniards  tarried  in  Tula 
many  foraging  excursions  were  sent  out  to  various 
parts  of  the  province.  The  region  was  popu!  .us  and 
fertile,  but  it  was  found  inpossible  to  conciliate  in 
any  degree  the  hostile  inhabitants. 

Again  the  soldiers  were  in  motion.  They  direct- 
ed their  steps  towards  the  northwest,  towards  a  pro- 
vince named  Utiangue,  which  was  said  to  be  situated 
on  the  borders  of  a  great  lake,  at  the  distance  of 
about  two  hundred  and  forty  miles.     They  hoped 


330 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


:/ 


that  this  lake  might  prove  an  arm  of  the  sea,  through 
which  they  could  open  communications  with  their 
friends  in  Cuba,  and  return  to  them  by  water.  The 
journey  was  melancholy  in  the  extreme,  through  a 
desolate  country  occupied  by  wandering  bands  of 
ferocious  savages,  who  were  constantly  assailing  them 
from  ambuscades  by  day  and  by  night. 

At  length  they  reached  the  village  of  Utiangue, 
the  capital  of  the  province.  It  was  pleasantly  situ- 
ated on  a  fine  plain  upon  the  banks  of  a  river, 
which  was  probably  the  Arkansas.  Upon  the  ap- 
proach of  the  Spaniards  the  inhabitants  had  aban- 
doned the  place,  leaving  their  granaries  well  stocked 
with  corn,  beans,  nuts,  and  plums.  The  meadows 
surrounding  the  town  offered  excellent  pasturage  for 
the  horses.  As  the  season  was  far  advanced,  De 
Soto  decided  to  take  up  his  winter  quarters  here. 
He  fortified  the  place,  surrounding  it  with  strong 
palisades.  To  lay  in  ample  stores  fo«*  the  whole  win- 
ter, foraging  parties  were  sent  out,  who  returned 
laden  with  dried  fruits,  corn,  and  other  grain. 

Deer  ranged  the  forests  in  such  numbers  that 
large  quantities  of  venison  were  obtained.  Rabbits 
also  were  in  abundance.  The  Cacique,  who  kept 
himself  aloof,  sent  several  messengers  to  De  Soto, 
but  they  so  manifestly  came  merely  as  spies,  and 
always  in  the  night,  that  De  Soto  gave  orders  that 


VAGRANT  WANDERINGS. 


331 


none  should  be  admitted  save  in  the  day-time.  One 
persisting  to  enter  was  killed  by  a  sentinel.  This  put 
an  end  to  all  intercourse  between  De  Soto  and  the 
chief;  but  the  Spaniards  were  assaulted  whenever 
the  natives  could  take  any  advantage  of  them  on 
their  foraging  expeditions. 

Here  the  Spaniards  enjoyed  on  the  whole,  the 
most  comfortable  winter  they  had  experienced  since 
they  entered  Florida.  Secure  from  attack  in  their 
fortified  town,  sheltered  from  the  weather  in  their 
comfortable  dwellings,  and  with  a  sufficient  supply  of 
food,  they  were  almost  happy,  as  they  contrasted  the 
comforts  they  then  enjoyed  with  the  frf^htful  suffer- 
ings they  had  hitherto  experienced.  During  the  win- 
ter, the  expedition  met  with  a  great  loss  from  the 
death  of  its  intelligent  interpreter,  Juan  Ortiz.  In 
reference  to  his  services,  Mr.  Pickett  says : 
-  "  Understanding  only  the  Floridian  language,  he 
conducted  conversations  through  the  Indians  of  dif- 
ferent tribes  who  understood  each  other  and  who  at- 
tended the  expedition.  In  conversing  with  the 
Chickasaws,  for  instance,  he  commenced  with  the 
Floridian,  who  carried  the  word  to  a  Georgian,  the 
Georgian  to  the  Coosa,  the  Coosa  to  the  Mobilian, 
and  the  latter  to  the  Chickasaw.  In  the  same  tedi- 
ous manner  the  reply  was  conveyed  to  him  and  re- 
ported to  De  Soto." 


332 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


During  the  winter  at  Utiangue,  the  views  and 
feeHngs  of  the  Governor  apparently  experienced  quite 
a  change.  His  hopes  of  finding  gold  seem  all  to  have 
vanished.  He  was  far  away  in  unknown  wilds,  hav- 
ing lost  half  his  troops  and  nearly  all  his  horses.  The 
few  horses  that  remained,  were  many  of  them  lame, 
not  having  been  shod  for  more  than  a  year.  He 
did  not  hesitate  to  confess,  confidentially  to  his 
friends,  his  regret  that  he  had  not  joined  the  ships  at 
Pensacola.  He  now  despairingly  decided  to  abandon 
these  weary  and  ruinous  wanderings,  and  to  return  to 
the  Mississippi  river.  Here  he  would  establish  a 
fortified  colony,  build  a  couple  of  brigantines,  send 
them  to  Cuba  with  tidings  of  safety  to  his  wife,  and 
procure  reinforcements  and  supplies.  It  seems  that 
his  pride  would  not  allow  him  to  return  himself  a 
ruined  man  to  his  friends. 

With  the  early  spring  he  broke  up  his  canton- 
ment, and  commenced  a  rapid  march  for  the  Missis- 
sippi. He  had  heard  of  a  village  called  Anilco,  at 
the  mouth  of  a  large  stream  emptying  into  that 
majestic  river.  They  followed  down  the  south  side 
of  the  Arkansas  river  for  ten  days,  when  they  crossed 
on  ra^ts  to  the  north  or  east  side.  It  was  probably 
the  intention  of  De  Soto  to  reach  the  Mississippi 
nearly  at  the  point  at  which  they  had  crossed  it  be- 
fore. 


VAGRANT  WANDERINGS. 


333 


Continuing  his  journey  through  morasses  and 
miry  grounds,  where  the  horses  often  waded  up  to 
their  girths  in  water,  where  there  were  few  inhabi- 
tants, and  little  food  to  be  obtained,  he  at  length 
reached  the  village  of  Anilco,  and  found  it  to  be  on  the 
northern  bank  of  the  Arkansas  river.  Here  he  learn- 
ed that,  at  the  distance  of  some  leagues  to  the  south, 
there  was  a  populous  and  fertile  country  such  as  he 
thought  would  be  suitable  for  the  establishment  of 
his  colony.  Again  he  crossed  the  Arkansas  river  to 
the  south  side,  and  moving  in  a  southerly  direction 
reached  the  Mississippi  at  a  village  called  Guachoya, 
about  twenty  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Arkan- 
sas river. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


Death  of  De  Soto. 


Accent  ruf  the  Mississippi. — Revenge  of  Guachoya. — Sickness  of  De  So. 
io. — Affecting  Leave-taking. — His  Death  and  Burial. — The  March 
for  Mexico. — Return  to  the  Mississippi. — Descent  of  the  River, — 
Iii»per»ion  of  the  Expedition. — Death  of  Isabella. 

The  village  of  Guachoya  was  situated  on  a  bluff* 
on  the  western  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  and  was 
strongly  fortified  with  palisades.  De  Soto  succeeded 
in  establishing  friendly  relations  with  the  chief,  and 
was  hospitably  entertained  within  the  town.  The 
Cacique  and  Governor  ate  at  the  same  table,  and 
were  served  by  Indian  attendants.  Still,  for  some  un- 
explained reason,  the  Cacique  with  his  warriors  retir- 
ed at  sunset  in  their  canoes,  to  the  eastern  side  of 
the  Mississippi,  and  did  not  return  till  after  sunri.sc 
the  next  morning. 

De  Soto's  great  anxiety  now  was  to  get  access 
to  the  ocean.  But  he  could  not  learn  that  the  Ca- 
cique had  ever  heard  of  such  a  body  of  water.  I  Ic 
then  sent  Juan  de  Anasco  with  eight  horsemen  to  fol- 
low down  the  banks  of  the  river  in  search  of  the  sea. 
They  returned  in  eight  days,  having  explored  but 


DEATH   OF  DE  SOTO. 


335 


about  fifty  miles,  in  consequence  of  the  windings  of 
the  stream  and  the  swamps  which  bordered  its  banks. 
Upon  this  discouraging  information,  the  Governor  de- 
cided to  build  two  brigantines  at  Guachoya,  and  to 
establish  his  colony  upon  some  fertile  fields  which  he 
had  passed  between  Anilco  and  that  place.  This 
rendered  it  very  important  for  him  to  secure  abiding 
friendly  relations  with  the  chiefs  of  both  of  these 
provinces. 

The  territory  indeed  upon  which  he  intended  to 
settle,  was  within  the  province  of  Anilco,  and  on  the 
north  bank  of  the  Arkansas.  The  chief  Guachoya, 
very  kindly  offered  to  supply  De  Soto  with  eighty 
large  and  many  small  canoes  with  which  a  portion 
of  his  force  with  the  baggage  could  ascend  the  Mis- 
sissippi, twenty-one  miles  to  the  mouth  of  the  Ar- 
kansas, and  then  ascending  that  stream  about  forty 
miles  would  reach  the  point  selected  for  the  settle- 
ment. The  Governor  and  the  chief,  with  united  mili- 
tary force  in  light  marching  order,  would  proceed  by 
land  so  as  to  reach  the  spot  about  the  same  time  as 
the  canoes. 

Four  thousand  Indian  warriors  embarked  in  these 
canoes,  and  in  three  days  accomplished  the  voy- 
age. At  the  same  time,  the  land  forces  commenced 
their  march.  The  Cacique  led  two  thousand  war- 
riors, besides  the  attendants.     Mr.  Irving  writes: 


336 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


"  The  two  expeditions  arrived  safely  at  the  time 
opposite  the  village.  The  chief  of  Anilco  was  ab- 
sent, but  the  inhabitants  of  the  place  made  a  stand 
at  the  pass  of  the  river.  Nufio  Toba  fell  furiously 
upon  them  with  a  party  of  horse.  Eager  for  the 
fight,  they  charged  so  heedlessly  that  each  trooper 
found  himself  surrounded  by  a  band  of  Indians. 
The  poor  savages,  however,  were  so  panic-stricken 
that  they  turned  their  backs  upon  the  village,  and 
fled  in  wild  disorder  to  the  forests,  amid  the  shouts 
of  the  pursuers,  and  the  shrieks  and  cries  of  the 
women  and  children. 

"  On  entering  the  conquered  village,  they  massa- 
cred all  they  met,  being  chiefly  old  men,  women  and 
children,  inflicting  the  most  horrible  barbarities. 

"  In  all  this  they  acted  in  such  fury  and  haste, 
that  the  mischief  was  effecced  almost  before  De  Soto 
was  aware  of  it.  He  put  an  end  to  the  carnage  as 
speedily  as  possible,  reprimanded  the  Cacique  se- 
verely, forbade  any  one  to  set  fire  to  a  house,  or  in- 
jure an  Indian  under  pain  of  death,  and  hastened  to 
leave  the  village,  taking  care  that  the  Indian  allies 
should  be  the  first  to  pass  the  river,  and  none  re- 
mained behind  to  do  mischief" 

From  this  untoward  enterprise  Dc  Soto  returned 
to  the  village  of  Guachoya,  rcnou;icing  all  idea  of  es- 
tablishing  lis   cjiony   in  Anilco.     He  immediately 


DEATH   OF  DE   SOTO. 


337 


commenced  with  all  energy  building  his  two  brigan- 
tines,  while  he  looked  anxiously  about  ii^  search  of 
some  region  of  fertility  and  abundance,  where  his 
army  could  repose  till  the  envoys  should  bring  back 
a  sufficient  fleet  to  transport  those  to  Cuba  who 
should  wish  to  return  there,  and  could  also  bring 
those  reinforcements  and  supplies  essential  to  the 
establishment  of  the  colony.  The  river  at  this  point 
was  about  a  mile  and  a  half  in  width.  The  country 
on  both  sides  was  rich  in  fertility,  and  thickly  inhab- 
ited. 

Upon  the  eastern  bank  there  was  a  province  call- 
ed Quigualtanqui,  of  which  De  Soto  heard  such 
glowing  reports  that  he  sent  an  exploring  party  to 
examine  the  country.  By  fastening  four  canoes  to- 
gether, he  succeeded  in  transporting  the  horses 
across  the  stream.  To  his  disappointment  he  found 
the  Cacique  deadly  hostile.  He  sent  word  to  De 
Soto  that  he  would  wage  a  war  of  utter  extermina- 
tion against  him  and  his  people,  should  they  attempt 
to  invade  his  territories. 

Care,  fatigue  and  sorrow  now  began  to  show  their 
traces  upon  the  Governor.  He  could  not  disguise 
the  deep  despondency  which  oppressed  him.  His 
step  became  feeble,  his  form  emajirte,  his  counten- 
ance haggard.     A  weary,  grief-worn  pilgrim,  l^e  was 

in  a  mood  to  welcome  death,  as  life  presented  him 
15 


338 


FERDINAND  DE   SOTO. 


nothing  more  to  hope  for.  A  slow  fever  aggravated 
by  the  climate,  placed  him  upon  a  sick  bed.  Here, 
the  victim  of  the  most  profound  melancholy,  he  was 
informed  that  the  powerful  chief,  Quigualtanqui,  was 
forming  a  league  of  all  the  neighboring  tribes  for  the 
extermination  of  the  Spaniards.  De  Soto's  arm  was 
paralyzed  and  his  heart  was  broken.  He  had  fought 
his  last  battle.  His  words  were  few  ;  his  despon- 
dency oppressed  all  who  approached  his  bedside. 
Day  after  day  the  malady  increased  until  the  fever 
rose  so,  high,  that  it  was  manifest  to  De  Soto,  and  to 
all  his  companions,  that  his  last  hour  was  at  hand. 

Calmly  and  with  the  piety  of  a  devout  Catholic, 
he  prepared  for  death.  Luis  De  Moscoso  was  ap- 
pointed his  successor  in  command  of  the  army,  and 
also  the  successor  of  whatever  authority  and  titles 
De  Soto  might  possess,  as  Governor  of  Florida.  He 
called  together  the  officers  and  most  prominent  sol- 
diers, and  with  the  trembling  voice  of  a  dying  man 
administered  to  them  the  oath  of  obedience  to  Mus- 
coso.  He  then  called  to  his  bedside,  in  groups  of 
three  persons,  the  cavaliers  who  had  so  faithfully  fol- 
lowed him  through  his  long  and  perilous  adventures, 
and  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  them.  The  com- 
mon soldiers  were  then,  in  groups  of  about  twenty, 
brought  into  the  death  chamberj  and  tenderly  he 
bade  them  adieu. 


DEATH  OF  DE   SOTO. 


339 


These  war-worn  veterans  wept  bitterly  in  taking 
leave  of  their  beloved  chief.  It  is  worthy  of  record 
that  he  urged  them  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  con- 
vert the  natives  to  the  Christian  religion  ;  that  he  im- 
plored the  forgiveness  of  all  whom  he  had  in  any 
way  offended ;  and  entreated  them  to  live  as  broth- 
ers, loving  and  helping  one  another.  On  the  seventh 
day  after  he  was  attacked  by  the  fever,  he  expired. 

*'  He  died  "  writes  the  Inca,  "  like  a  Catholic  Chris- 
tian, imploring  mercy  of  the  most  Holy  Trinity,  rely- 
ing on  the  protection  of  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord,  and  the  intercession  of  the  Virgin  and  of 
all  the  celestial  court,  and  in  the  faith  of  the  Roman 
church.  With  these  words  repeated  many  times,  he 
resigned  his  soul  to  God ;  this  magnanimous  and 
never-conquered  cavalier,  worthy  of  great  dignities 
and  titles,  and  deserving  a  better  historian  than  a 
rude  Indian." 

Thus  perished  De  Soto,  in  the  forty-second  year 
of  his  age.  His  life,  almost  from  the  cradle  to  the 
grave,  had  been  filled  with  care,  disappointment  and 
sorrow.  When  we  consider  the  age  in  which  he 
lived,  the  influences  by  which  he  was  surrounded, 
and  the  temptations  to  which  he  was  exposed,  it 
must  be  admitted  that  he  developed  many  noble 
traits  of  character,  and  that  great  allowances  should 
be  made  for  his  defects. 


340 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


The  Governor  had  won  the  confidence  and  affec- 
tion of  his  army  to  an  extraordinary  degree.  He  was 
ever  courteous  in  his  demeanor,  and  kind  in  his  treat- 
ment. He  shared  all  the  hardships  of  his  soldiers, 
placed  himself  in  the  front  in  the  hour  of  peril,  and 
was  endowed  with  that  wonderful  muscular  strength 
and  i.nergy  which  enabled  him  by  his  achievements 
often  to  win  the  admiration  of  all  his  troops.  His 
death  overwhelmed  the  army  with  grief.  They 
feared  to  have  it  known  by  the  natives,  for  his  re- 
nown as  a  soldier  was  such  as  to  hold  them  in  awe. 

It  was  apprehended  that  should  his  death  be 
known,  the  natives  would  be  encounjged  to  revolt, 
and  to  fall  with  exterminating  fury  upon  the  handful 
of  Spaniards  now  left  in  the  land.  They  therefore 
"  buried  him  silently  at  dead  of  night."  Sentinels 
were  carefully  posted  to  prevent  the  approach  of  any 
of  the  natives.  A  few  torches  lighted  the  procession 
to  a  sandy  plain  near  the  encampment,  where  his 
body  was  interred,  with  no  salute  fired  over  his  grave 
or  even  any  dirge  chanted  by  the  attendant  priests. 
The  ground  was  carefully  smoothed  over  so  as  to  ob- 
literate as  far  as  possible  all  traces  of  the  burial. 

The  better  to  conceal  his  death,  word  was  given 
out  the  next  morning  that  he  was  much  better,  and 
a  joyous  festival  was  arranged  in  honor  of  his  con- 
valescence.     Still    the   natives  were    not   deceived. 


DEATH   OF  DE  SOTO. 


341 


They  su.^  jcted  that  he  was  dead,  and  even  guessed 
the  place  of  his  burial.  This  was  indicated  by  the 
fact  that  they  frequently  visited  the  spot,  looking 
around  with  great  interest,  and  talking  together 
with  much  volubility. 

One  mode  of  revenge  adopted  by  the  natives 
was  to  disinter  the  body  of  an  enemy  and  expose 
the  remains  to  every  species  of  insult.  It  was 
feared  that  as  soon  as  the  Spaniards  should  have 
withdrawn  from  the  region,  the  body  of  De  Soto 
might  be  found  and  exposed  to  similar  outrages. 
It  was  therefore  decided  to  take  up  the  remains  and 
sink  it  in  the  depths  of  the  river. 

In  the  night,  Juan  De  Allasco,  with  one  or  two 
companions,  embarked  in  a  canoe,  and,  by  sound- 
ing, found  a  place  in  the  channel  of  the  river  nearly 
a  hundred  and  twenty  feet  deep.  They  cut  down 
an  evergreen  oak,  whose  wood  is  almost  as  solid 
and  heavy  as  lead,  gouged  out  a  place  in  it  suffi- 
ciently large  to  receive  the  body,  and  nailed  over 
the  top  a  massive  plank.  The  body,  thus  placed  in 
its  final  coffin,  was  taken  at  midnight  to  the  cen- 
tre of  the  river,  where  it  immediately  sank  to  its 
deep  burial.  The  utmost  silence  was  preserved,  and 
every  precaution  adopted  to  conceal  the  movement 
from  all  but  those  engaged  in  the  enterprise. 

*'  The  discoverer  of  the  Mississippi,"  writes  the 


342 


FERDINAND  DE  SOTO. 


Inca,  "  slept  beneath  its  waters.  He  had  crossed  a 
large  part  of  the  continent  in  search  of  gold,  and 
found  nothing  so  remarkable  as  his  burial-place." 

Upon  the  death  of  De  Soto,  a  council  of  war  was 
held  to  decide  what  to  do  in  the  new  attitude  of 
affairs.  In  their  exhausted  state,  and  with  their 
diminished  numbers,  they  could  not  think  of  at- 
tempting a  march  back  for  hundreds  of  leagues 
through  hostile  nations,  to  Tampa  Bay.  It  would 
take  a  long  time  to  build  their  brigantines  and  to 
await  an  arrival  from  Cuba.  In  the  meantime  there 
was  great  danger  that  they  might  be  attacked  and 
destroyed  by  the  powerful  league  then  forming 
against  them. 

A  rumor  had  reached  them  that  a  large  number 
of  Spaniards  were  in  Mexico,  not  very  far  to  the 
westward  ;  that  they  were  powerful  in  numbers,  con- 
quering all  before  them,  and  enriching  themselves 
with  the  spoils  of  a  majestic  empire.  It  was  conse- 
quently determined  to  march  with  all  speed  in  that 
direction,  and  join  this  Spanish  army  in  its  career  of 
Mexican  conquest. 

Early  in  the  month  of  June  they  commenced 
their  march  in  a  line  due  west.  Their  geographical 
knowledge  was  so  limited  that  they  were  not  aware 
that  they  were  in  a  latitude  far  above  the  renowned 
city  of  the  Montezumas. 


■  ^yitf^  ' 


■»  . 


■  ■■»■-;*- 

.4 


342 


fERDINAND   DE   SOsO. 


Inca,  •*  <\vpi  bcricath  its  waters.  Hi  had  crossed  a 
Inrgc  part  ui  tJic  contincni  in  sCvTrrh  of  gold,  and 
j'ound' nothing  so  remarkable  as  his  burial-place." 

Upon  the  death  of  De  Soto,  a  council  of  war  was 
held  to  decide  what  to  do  in  tlic  new  attitude  of 
aff.urs.  In  Iheir  exhausted  state,  and  with,  their 
diminished  numbers,  they,  cndd  not  think  of  at- 
tempting a  m.'uxh  back  ior  huwdreds  of  leaijues 
throujj^h  hostile  nations,  to  Tampa  Bay,  Jt  would 
.lake  a  lonf  time  ':.o  build  their  brigantines  aiid  to 
await  an  arrival  from  Cuba.  In  the  meantime  there 
vsas  great  danger  that  they  raiglit  be  attacked  and 
destroyed  by  ih'-  pow*  rfiil  lt.5.>.;ue  tlicn  foimmg 
against  th^;m, 

A  rumor  had  reachefl  them  that  a  large  number 
of  Spaniards  were  in  Mexico,  not  very  far  t*^  the 
westward  ;  that  tht.y  wen,'  p'>werful  in  numbers,  con- 
quering all  before  thcrr.,  and  enriching  thefti'^elveu 
with  the  spoils  of  a  majci^tic  empire,  li  was  conse- 
quently determined  to  march  with  ;dl  ypeed  in  that 
direction,  and  join  this  Spani:sh  army  in  its  career  of 
Mexican  conquest,  , 

Siarty  in  the  m.onth  nf  June  tuey  commenced 
their  march  in  a  Inie  due  west-  Their  jjcographical 
knowktf^e  wa?^  ««>  littiifcd  that  they  were  not  aware 
that  they  were  in  a  latitude  far  above  the  renowned 
city  uf  the  Montezumaa. 


I 


DEATH   OF  DE  SOTO. 


343 


Day  after  day  the  troops  pressed  on,  through 
many  sufferings  and  weary  marches.  On  the  way, 
one  of  their  number,  Diego  De  Guzman,  a  very  am- 
bitious young  cavalier  of  high  rank  and  wealthy  con- 
nections, fell  so  passionately  in  love  with  the  beauti- 
ful daughter  c)f  a  Cacique  that  he  deserted  from  the 
army  to  remain  with  her.  She  was  but  eighteen 
years  of  age,  of  very  amiable  spirit,  and  of  unusual 
gracefulness  of  form  and  loveliness  of  feature.  Mos- 
coso  sent  an  embassy  to  the  Cacique,  demanding  the 
return  of  Guzman  as  a  dtserter,  and  threatening,  in 
case  of  refusal,  to  lay  waste  his  territory  with  fire  and 
sword.     The  chief  sent  back  the  heroic  reply — 

"  I  have  used  no  force  to  detain  Diego  De  Guz- 
man. I  shall  use  no  force  to  compel  him  to  depart. 
On  the  contrary  I  shall  treat  him  as  a  son-in-law, 
with  all  honor  and  kindness,  and  shall  do  the  same 
with  any  others  of  the  strangers  who  may  choose  to 
remain  with  me.  If  for  thus  doing  my  duty  you 
think  proper  to  lay  waste  my  lands  and  slay  my  peo- 
ple, you  can  do  so.     The  power  is  in  your  hands.'' 

It  would  seem  that  this  manly  reply  disarmed 
Moscoso,  for  the  Spanish  army  continued  its  journey, 
leaving  Guzman  behind.  Onward  and  still  onward 
the  weary  men  pressed,  wading  morasses,  forcing 
their  way  through  tangled  forests,  crossing  rivers  on 
rafts ;  now  hungry  and  now  thirsty,  again  enjoying 


FERDINAND   DE  SOTO. 


abundance  ;  sometimes  encountering  hostility  from 
the  natives,  when  they  took  fearful  vengeance,  apply- 
ing the  torch  to  their  villages  ;  and  again  enjoying 
the  hospitality  of  the  natives,  until  having  traversed 
a  region  of  about  three  hundred  rriiles  in  breadth, 
they  supposed  they  had  reached  the  confines  of 
Mexico. 

They  had  no  suitable  interpreters  with  them. 
The  most  contrary  impressions  were  received  from 
the  attempts  they  made  to  obtain  intelligence  from 
the  Indians.  Lured  by  false  hopes^  they  wandered 
about  here  and  there,  ever  disappointed  in  their 
hopes  of  finding  the  white  men.  Entering  a  vast 
uninhabited  region,  they  found  their  food  exhausted, 
and  but  for  the  roots  and  herbs  they  dug  up,  would 
have  perished  from  hunger. 

The  Spaniards  were  in  despair.  They  were  lost 
in  savage  wilds,  surrounded  by  a  barbarous  and  hos- 
tile people,  with  whom,  for  want  of  an  interpreter, 
they  could  hold  no  intelligible  communication.  They 
had  now  been  wandering  in  these  bewildering  mazes 
for  three  months.  Mountains  were  rising  before 
them  ;  dense  forests  were  around.  They  had  proba- 
bly rciched  the  hunting-grounds  of  the  Pawnees  and 
Comanches.  It  was  the  month  of  October ;  winter 
would  soon  be  upon  them.  A  council  of  war  was 
called,  and  after  much  agitating  debate,  it  was  at 


DEATH   OF   DE  SOTO. 


345 


length  decided,  as  the  only  refuge  from  perishing  in 
the  wilderness,  to  retrace  their  steps  to  the  Missis- 
sippi. 

Forlorn,  indeed,  were  their  prospects  now.  Thoy 
had  made  no  attempt  to  conciliate  the  natives 
through  whose  provinces  they  had  passed,  and  they 
could  expect  to  encounter  only  hostility  upon  every 
step  of  their  return.  The  country  also,  devastated  in 
their  advance,  could  afibrd  but  little  succor  in  their 
retreat.  Their  worst  fears  were  realized.  Though 
they  made  forced  marches,  often  with  weary  feet, 
late  into  the  night,  they  were  constantly  falling  into 
ambuscades,  and  lad  an  almost  incessant  battle  to 
fight. 

Before  they  reached  the  Arkansas  river  the  severe 
weather  of  winter  set  in.  They  were  drenched  with 
rains,  pierced  with  freezing  gales,  and  covered  with 
the  mud  through  which  they  were  always  wading. 
Their  European  clothing  had  long  since  vanished. 
Their  grotesque  and  uncomfortable  dress  consisted 
principally  of  skins  belted  around  their  waists  and 
over  their  shoulders ;  they  were  bare-legged.  Many 
of  them  had  neither  shoes  nor  sandals  ;  a  few  had 
moccasons  made  of  skins.  In  addition  to  all  this,  and 
hardest  to  be  borne,  their  spirits  were  all  broken,  and 
they  were  sunk  in  despondency  which  led  them  to 
th.  very  verge  of  despair.  ^ 
15* 


34^ 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


Every  rl.iy  some  died.  One  day,  seven  dropped 
by  the  W''iy::idc.  The  Spaniards  could  liardly  stop  to 
give  thcin  burial,  for  hostile  Indians  were  continually 
rising  before,  behind,  and  on  each  side  of  them.  At 
length,  early  in  December,  they  reached  the  banks 
of  the  Mississippi  near  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas. 

The  noble  army  with  which  De  Soto  left  Spain 
but  three  and  a  half  years  before,  had  dwindled  away 
to  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  men  ;  and  many  of 
these  gnined  this  refuge  only  to  die.  Fifty  of  these 
wanderers,  exhausted  by  hunger,  toil  and  sorrow, 
found  repose  in  the  grave.  Soon  the  survivors  com- 
menced building  seven  brigantines  to  take  them  back 
to  Cuba.  They  had  one  ship-carpenter  left,  and  sev- 
eral other  mechanics.  Swords,  stirrups,  chains,  cut- 
lasses, and  worn  out  fire-arms,  were  wrought  into 
spikes.  Ropes  were  made  from  grass.  The  Indians 
proved  friendly,  furnishing  them  with  food,  and  aid- 
ing them  in  their  labors. 

The  hostile  chief  of  whom  we  have  before  spok- 
en, Quigualtanqui,  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river, 
began  to  renew  his  efforts  to  form  a  hostile  league 
against  the  Spaniards.  He  was  continually  sendhig 
spies  into  the  camp.  Moscoso  was  a  merciless  man. 
One  day  thirty  Indians  came  into  the  town  as  spies, 
but  under  pretence  of  bringing  presents  of  food,  and 
messages  of  kindn.ss  from  their  C'^cique.     Moscoso 


DEATH   OF  DE   SOTO. 


347 


I 


thought  he  had  an. pie  evidence  of  their  treachery. 
Cruelly  he  ordered  the  right  hand  of  every  one  of 
these  chiefs  to  be  chopped  off  with  a  hatchet,  and 
thus  mutilated,  sent  them  back  to  the  Cacique  as  a 
warning  to  others. 

Moscoso,  conscious  of  the  peril  of  his  situation, 
made  the  utmost  haste  to  complete  his  fleet.  It  con- 
sisted of  seven  large  barques,  open  save  at  the  bows 
and  stern.  The  bulwarks  were  mainly  composed  of 
hides.  Each  barque  had  seven  oars  on  a  side. 
This  frail  squadron  was  soon  afloat,  and  the  Governor 
and  his  diminished  bands  embarked. 

It  was  on  the  evening  of  the  second  of  July,  just 
as  the  sun  was  setting,  when  they  commenced  their 
descent  of  the  majestic  Mississippi,  leading  they 
knew  not  where.  They  had  succeeded  in  fabri- 
cating sails  of  matting  woven  from.  ^rass.  With 
such  sails  and  oars,  they  set  out  to  voyage  over  un- 
explored seas,  without  a  chart,  and  without  a  com- 
pass. The  current  of  the  river  was  swift  and  their 
descent  rapid.  They  occasionally  landed  to  seize 
provisions  v/herevcr  they  were  to  be  found,  and  to 
take  signal  vengeance  on  any  who  opposed  them. 

It  seems  that  the  Indians,  during  the  winter,  had 
been  C'  llecting  a  fleet,  manned  with  warriors,  to  cut 
off  the  retreat  of  the  Spaniards.  This  fleet  consist- 
ed of  a  large  number  of  ca  iocs,  sufficiently  capacious 


348 


FERDINAND   DE   SOTO. 


to  hold  from  thirty  to  seventy  warriors,  in  addition 
to  from  thirteen  to  twenty-four  men  with  paddles. 
They  could  move  with  great  rapidity. 

Two  days  after  embarking,  the  Spaniards  met 
this  formidable  fleet.  The  natives  attacked  them 
with  great  ferocity,  circling  around  the  cumbrous  brig- 
antines,  discharging  upon  them  showers  of  arrow;, 
and  withdrawing  at  their  pleasure.  This  assault, 
which  was  continued  almost  without  intermission 
for  seven  days  and  nights,  was  attended  by  hideous 
yr'Is  and  war-scngs.  Though  the  Spaniards  were 
protected  by  their  bulwarks  and  their  shields,  nearly 
every  one  received  some  wound.  All  the  horses  but 
eight  were  killed. 

On  the  sixteenth  day  of  the  voyage  four  small 
boats,  containing  in  all  fifty-five  mxn,  which  had 
pushed  out  a  little  distance  from  the  briganti.nes, 
Vv'^re  cut  off  by  the  natives,  and  all  but  seven  perish- 
ed. The  natives  now  retired  from  pursuing  their 
foes,  and  with  exultant  yells  of  triumph  turned  their 
bows  up  the  river  and  soon  disappeared  from  sight. 

On  the  twentieth  day  they  reached  the  Gulf 
Here  they  anchored  their  fleet  to  a  low  marshy  island, 
a  mere  sand  bank,  surrounded  with  a  vast  mass  of 
floating  timber.  Again  a  council  was  held  to  decide 
what  course  was  to  be  pursued.  They  had  no  nauti- 
cal mstruments,  and  they  knew  not  in  wiiat  direction 


•i|jJii;i  ,mmim^iiimmtef 


DEATH   OF   DE   SOTO. 


349 


I 


to  seek  for  Cuba.  It  was  at  length  decided  that  as 
their  brigantines  could  not  stand  any  rough  usage  of 
a  stormy  sea,  their  only  safety  consisted  in  creeping 
cautiously  along  the  shore  towards  the  west  in  search 
of  their  companions  in  Mexico.  They  could  thus  run 
into  creeks  and  bays  in  case  of  storms,  and  could  oc- 
casionally land  for  supplies. 

It  was  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  when  they 
again  made  sail.  There  was  much  division  of  coun- 
sel among  them ;  much  diversity  of  opinion  as  to  the 
best  course  to  be  pursued  ;  and  the  authority  of 
Moscoso  was  but  little  regp.rdcd.  They  had  many 
adventures  for  fifty-three  days,  as  they  coasted  slowly 
along  to  the  westward.  Then  a  violent  gale  arose,  a 
norther,  which  blew  with  unabated  fury  for  twenty- 
six  hours.  In  this  gale  the  little  fleet  became  sepa- 
rated. The  brigantines  contained  about  fifty  men 
each.  Five  of  them  succeeded  in  running  into  a  lit- 
tle bay  for  shelter.  Two  were  left  far  behind,  and 
finding  it  impossible  to  overtake  their  companions,  as 
the  wind  was  directly  ahead,  and  as  there  was  danger 
of  their  foundering  during  the  night,  though  with 
quarrels  among  themselves,  they  ran  their  two  ves- 
sels upon  a  sand  beach  and  escaped  to  the  shore. 

Moscoso,  with  the  five  brigantines,  had  entered 
the  river  Panuco,  now  called  Tampico.  Here  he 
found,   to  his  great  joy,  that  his   countrymen  had 


35° 


FERDINAND  DE   SOTO. 


quite  a  flourishing  colony,  and  that  they  had  reared 
quite  a  large  town,  called  Panucj,  at  a  few  miles 
up  the  stieam.  They  kissed  the  very  ground  for 
joy,  and  abandoning  their  storm-shattered  brigan- 
tines,  commenced  a  tumultuous  march  towards  the 
town.  They  were  received  with  great  hospitality. 
The  Mayor  took  Moscoso  into  his  own  house,  and 
the  rest  of  the  party  were  comfortably  provided  for. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that  one  of  their  first  acts 
was  to  repair  to  the  church  to  thank  God  for  their 
signal  deliverance  from  so  many  perils.  They  were 
soon  joined  by  their  shipwrecked  comrades.  They 
numbered  only  three  hundred,  and  they  resembled 
wild  beasts  rather  than  men,  »vith  uncut  and  un- 
combed hair  and  beard,  haggard  with  fatigue,  black- 
ened from  exposure,  and  clad  only  in  the  skins  of 
bears,  deer,  buffaloes,  and  other  animals.  Here 
their  military  organization  ended. 

For  twenty-five  days  they  remained  at  Panuco ; 
a  riotous  band  of  disappointed  and  reckless  men, 
frequc!:tly  engaging  in  sanguinary  broils.  Gradu- 
ally they  dispersed.  Many  of  the  common  soldiers 
found  their  way  to  the  city  of  Mexico,  where  they 
enlisted  in  the  Mexican  and  Peruvian  armies.  Most 
of  the  leaders  found  their  way  back  to  Spain,  broken 
in  health  and  spirits. 

Many  months  elapsed  ere  Isabella  heard  of  the 


Il 


DEATH   OF  UE  SOTO. 


351 


death  of  her  husband,  and  of  the  utter  ruin  of  the 
magnificent  enterprise  in  which  he  had  engaged. 
It  was  to  her  an  overwhelming  blow.  Her  heart 
was  broken  ;  she  never  smiled  again,  and  soon  fol- 
lowed her  husband  to  the  grave.  Sad,  indeed,  were 
the  earthly  lives  of  Ferdinand  Dc  Soto  and  Isabella 
De  Bobadilla.  We  hope  their  redeemed  spirits  have 
met  in  that  better  land  where  the  weary  are  at  rest. 


THE  END. 


A 
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The  Lillingstones  of  Lillingstone.     By  Emma  Jane  Wor-   f 
boise.     1 2mo.     Twelve  illustrations 1.75 

World's  Laconics. 

World's  Laconics,  The.    On  the  Best  Thoughts  of  the  Best 
Authors,   in   Prose  and   Poetry.     By   Tryon  Edwards,   D.D. 
l2mo,  cloth  extra 1.75 

Weitbrecht. 

Miracles  of  Faith :    A  Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Beat6  Paulus.     f 
By  Mary  Weitbrecht.     With  an  Introduction  by  Charles  S. 
Robinson,  D.D.     i8mo,  red  edges 0.75 


